The political atmosphere in Agege Local Government, Lagos, has intensified following the endorsement of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s son by the incumbent Executive Chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi, as the APC candidate for the upcoming council elections. Egunjobi confidently stated that the young contender “deserves to succeed me,” signaling strong support for the Speaker’s family’s political continuity.
Addressing allegations of candidate imposition after the May 10 APC primaries, Egunjobi dismissed the uproar as typical political theatrics. “I’m sure if the results had gone their way, they would be lavishing praise on the electoral process,” he remarked, commending the electoral committee and party leadership for their professionalism.
The primaries triggered protests in Agege and Orile-Agege, where some APC members accused Speaker Obasa of planting loyalists and relatives, including his son Abdulganiyu, as candidates. Egunjobi described the protests as a “charade” fueled by “political desperadoes,” and criticized the protest leaders, including a “political neophyte” and charge-and-bail lawyer who had previously praised the Speaker in hopes of securing a party ticket.
Egunjobi also questioned the legitimacy of some aspirants, such as Sola Osolana and Bukola Sofidiya, who rejoined the party shortly before the primaries, implying they lacked the right to contest. He hinted at external political influences from a serving Ogun State senator and a three-time local House of Assembly member.
Defending Abdulganiyu Obasa’s candidacy, Egunjobi highlighted his academic credentials as a PhD student and his longstanding community involvement. “People blabbing ‘imposition’ in respect of the Speaker’s son’s matter are not fair to the young man and Agege,” he said.
Egunjobi reflected on his administration’s achievements, including infrastructure development, vocational training upgrades, youth empowerment, and innovative programmes like the CBT centre for JAMB candidates and a deradicalisation scheme post-EndSARS. He also mentioned the employment of over 700 staff, including security personnel, to maintain order.
On the issue of ethnic divisions in Agege politics, Egunjobi rejected the Awori versus non-indigene narrative, asserting his deep roots in the community and dismissing such distinctions as irrelevant.
