Wale Jagun
Ikorodu’s Native Democratic Initiative for Genuine Empowerment and National Equity (INDIGENE), a distinguished collective of professionals, academics, and community leaders of thought spanning the six Ìkòròdú Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), today, 11 th May 2026, announced its unequivocal support for the re-election bid of the Honourable Jimi Benson to the Federal House of Representatives.
According the group, the decision to acknowledge and endorsed Rep. Babajimi Benson, was reached after serious deliberations and critical assessment of his performances.
In a statement signed by its Co – convener/Secretary, Mr Adeleke Aroyewun, esq., the group said the ranking lawmaker has brought unprecedented development in Ikorodu leading to the city’s expansion.
”This decision, reached after extensive deliberations, underscores the urgent developmental imperatives facing the constituency. Ìkòròdú is experiencing unprecedented demographic expansion, with its population estimated at 1.248 million in 2026, reflecting a robust annual growth rate exceeding 4%.
”This rapid urbanisation has exacerbated existing deficiencies in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and basic social amenities. Sustained and strategic governmental intervention is therefore paramount to align Ìkòròdú’s development trajectory with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
INDIGENE urged stakeholders in Ikorodu not to experiment with a development of the federal constituency which has been progressing upwardly due to Rep. Benson’s representation.
“The current political temperature of Lagos dictates that this is not the time for Ìkòròdú to experiment with its hope for rapid development.
“Our collective interest, encapsulated in the ‘Ìkòròdú First’ project, must transcend individual ambitions and partisan considerations.
However, INDIGENE “acknowledges the democratic rights of all citizens to participate in the electoral process but firmly places the collective welfare of Ìkòròdú above all else.
” The body commends other aspirants for their commitment to public service and earnestly appeals to them, in the spirit of unity and love for the zone, to rally behind Mr Benson’s continued representation.
”As a ranking lawmaker, Mr Benson possesses enhanced influence, holds key committee leadership positions, and enjoys preferential access to resources, all of which are crucial for delivering substantial dividends to the constituency.”
The group, also examining Rep. Benson’s contributions to lawmaking process, said that he has direct input in 53 bills so far, with some of them signed into laws.
”Honourable Jimi Benson’s legislative prowess is well-documented. He has sponsored an impressive 58 bills, with five pivotal pieces of legislation already signed into law by the Presidency. These include: The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Amendment) Act which repositions DICON into a self-sustaining Military Industrial Complex, fostering job creation and enhancing Nigeria’s defence production capabilities; and The Electricity (Amendment) Act, 2023, mandating Power Generating Companies (GENCOs) to allocate 5% of their operating expenditure to host community development.
“The Constitutional Amendment Act on Railways, moving railways from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby, empowering both federal and state governments to invest in railway infrastructure.
”These legislative achievements directly address the infrastructural and developmental gaps identified by INDIGENE. Jimi Benson’s strategic positioning as a high-ranking legislator is instrumental to attracting targeted development projects to Ìkòròdú. For instance, his facilitation of 29 classroom buildings across various schools in Ikorodu, has significantly contributed to addressing educational infrastructure deficits.
”Furthermore, his commitment to improving transportation infrastructure is evident in projects such as the flagging off of new road constructions”, INDIGENE added.
INDIGENE implored the Ìkòròdú political elites, traditional rulers, and leaders of thought to actively engage in the ‘Ìkòròdú First’ project.
According to the group, “This collective involvement is essential to ensure the judicious distribution of productive talents within the political landscape, thereby, safeguarding the constituency’s developmental aspirations”.
The body also urged Mr Benson to continue working hand-in-glove with the Senator representing Lagos East, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, FCA, to maximise the democratic dividends for Ìkòròdú.
