The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr. Oluwagbenga Abiola, has withdrawn his interest to vie for the chairmanship position of the LG in the upcoming July 12, 2025 council election.

Abiola said he stepped down for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Abiola, who is a political prot?g? of the Speaker, says his decision was borne out of his loyalty to Obasa, denying that he was forced to step down.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola affirmed his loyalty to the party and to Speaker Obasa.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola reaffirmed his commitment to the party and to Speaker Obasa.

He emphasised that his withdrawal was a voluntary and conscious choice in support of Obasa?s son.

On Monday, Agege stakeholders had urged Obasa to allow his son, Abdulganiyu, to contest the council chairmanship, citing the Speaker?s significant contributions to the development of Agege and his long-standing political influence in the area.

In response to rumours that he had been pressured to withdraw, Abiola made it clear that he remained deeply appreciative of Obasa?s role in his political career.

He further pledged his full support for the Speaker?s leadership, stating that he would never act against the party?s direction or Obasa?s guidance.

?I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,? Abiola stated. ?He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015.

In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time.

?In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman ? all through the party?s and Speaker?s support. So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence??

Although Abiola admitted to having aspired to the chairmanship, he made it clear that he respected the party?s collective decision.

?Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree. Leaders and stakeholders have united. They?ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that,? he stated.

Abiola also expressed his commitment to serving the people, stating that he believed greater opportunities would come in the future.

?I trust my leader. He knows what?s best and can recommend me for even greater responsibilities when the time is right,? he said. ?I?m still young and full of energy. I?ll work for the party and ensure we achieve victory.?

Abiola said he had instructed members of his Obasa Youth Alliance to fully support the party?s decision.

Protesters allege candidates imposition

Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, staged a protest on Tuesday against the alleged imposition of candidates for the upcoming July 12 local government election.

The protest followed a similar demonstration that took place during a party stakeholders? meeting on April 14, which ended abruptly due to similar grievances over candidate selection.

On Tuesday, supporters of various chairmanship aspirants gathered at the APC party secretariat before marching to the council secretariat to express their dissatisfaction with the alleged candidate imposition.

Some protesters chanted slogans such as ?He is not part of us, no room for strangers in our LCDA,? ?Elders and leaders are to build things, not destroy them,? and ?We want an indigenous leader, not a stranger.?

Others raised their fists in the air while chanting, ?Don?t sell Ojokoro to strangers,? ?Don?t give us a stranger,? and ?We want people from within, not outsiders.?

Protesters also carried placards with messages like ?We don?t want it, we don?t like it, strangers cannot lead us,? ?Hon. Ojelabi, save APC Ojokoro,? ?No imposition, Obasa is forcing it on us,? and ?We demand a free and fair process.?

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, one of the protest leaders, Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, urged the party leaders not to ratify any imposed candidates.

He stated, ?Don?t place a leader on the people. Let all aspirants go to the field for free and fair primaries. We are not for violence; we are APC members, and we will not allow imposition. Many of these aspirants have spent their hard-earned money on the party, and we cannot allow their aspirations to be scuttled. We cannot let our house be led by strangers.?

Akinoso-Olawaye emphasised the need for all aspirants to have the opportunity to test their political relevance in a fair contest.

He also drew attention to President Bola Tinubu?s participation in party primaries at the presidential level, stating that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity in the same way.

Another protest leader, Mrs Raimot Bello, added that the protest was aimed at preventing the installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next council chairman, which they believed would be detrimental to the party.

Other protesters, including Alhaji Karimu Yusuf and Prophet Kayode, alleged that APC leaders were planning to impose a ?stranger? as the chairmanship candidate for the council.

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Mr. Hammed Tijani, commended the demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and assured them that no one would be imposed as a candidate.

?There is nothing like imposition. Meetings are still ongoing. We are all APC members, and the party will not be destroyed. I want to assure you that there is nothing like imposition; we are sorting out a lot of things,? Tijani said.

Also speaking, the APC Chairman in the council, Mr. Jelili Oseni, assured the protesters that Ojokoro would not descend into violence.

?Those who have worked for the party will be rewarded. There is no imposition here,? Oseni stated.

NAN reported that during the protest, party leaders and stakeholders, including former Lagos Assembly member Mr. Ipoola Omisore and former House of Representatives member Mr. James Owolabi, were present at the council secretariat. (The PUNCH)

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