By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
In a surprising turn of events that has stirred political conversations in Lagos State, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has withdrawn his son, Abdulganiyu Obasa, from the chairmanship race of Agege Local Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdulganiyu, who was widely speculated to be his father’s preferred candidate, failed to appear for the party’s screening process, effectively ending his ambition and throwing the contest open to other aspirants.
The development comes after growing opposition from party stakeholders in Agege, who raised concerns over Abdulganiyu’s lack of political experience and accused Speaker Obasa of attempting to impose his son on the people. In a strongly worded petition reportedly addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stakeholders warned of internal crises if the younger Obasa was forced on the party.
Rather than escalate tensions within the APC, Speaker Obasa appeared to back down, allowing the democratic process to take its course. Political analysts say the move is a significant message to other power brokers within the party: that no godfather, regardless of position, can unilaterally impose a candidate on the people.
“This withdrawal is not just about Obasa’s son. It is a signal to every political godfather in Lagos APC that the era of handpicking candidates without due process is coming to an end,” said a party source familiar with the matter.
With the APC ticket now open, the playing field has been leveled for all interested contenders, including a potential re-election bid by incumbent Chairman Ganiyu Egunjobi, though his official declaration remains pending.
The unfolding scenario has raised expectations for a more transparent and competitive selection process in the lead-up to the local government elections in Lagos.
