Agege Chairman Supports Obasa’s Son Amid APC Primary Fallout

Ganiyu Egunjobi, the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Lagos, has endorsed Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, as the APC candidate for the upcoming council elections.

Egunjobi stated that Abdulganiyu “deserves to succeed me,” underscoring his support for the Speaker’s family’s political ambitions.

The endorsement follows contentious APC primaries on May 10, which sparked accusations of candidate imposition. Egunjobi dismissed these allegations as typical political behavior, saying, “I think the reactions in those quarters where they are shouting ‘imposition’ is in the character of politicians in our clime.” He praised the electoral committee and party leadership for a job well done.

Protests by some APC members in Agege and Orile-Agege accused Speaker Obasa of installing loyalists and relatives as candidates. Egunjobi described these protests as a “charade sponsored by political desperadoes,” criticizing the protest leaders, including a “political neophyte” lawyer who had previously praised Obasa.

He questioned the legitimacy of aspirants like Sola Osolana and Bukola Sofidiya, who rejoined the party shortly before the primaries, implying they lacked the right to contest. Egunjobi hinted at external influences from a serving Ogun State senator and a local House of Assembly member.

Defending Abdulganiyu Obasa, Egunjobi highlighted his academic credentials as a PhD student and his community work. “People blabbing ‘imposition’… are not fair to the young man and Agege,” he said.

Egunjobi also highlighted his tenure’s achievements, including infrastructure development, vocational training, youth empowerment, and a deradicalisation programme for post-EndSARS youths. He mentioned employing over 700 staff, including security personnel, to maintain order.

Addressing ethnic politics in Agege, Egunjobi rejected the Awori versus non-indigene divide, stating, “No Awori person in Agege is more Agege than me,” calling the divide inconsequential.