Kunle Adelabu
The six aspirants vying for the sole Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, have pledged to conduct their campaigns in ways and manner that promote peace and also abide with whatever outcomes of the primary elections.
The aspirants who are aspiring on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will on Wednesday, 20th May, 2026, participate in a Direct Primary Election to pick a candidate that will fly the party’s flag in the 2027 General Elections.
They made the pledge at a parley called by the apex body of the APC in Ikorodu Constituency I at the APC Secretariat along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikorodu on Monday.
While the entire six aspirants at the parley, which according to the ruling party’s leadership was called to guide the aspirants and commit them to peaceful conduct of the primary election accepted to abide by the eventual outcome, two of the aspirants gave hints that they may appeal the outcome if the process is not fair enough.
The occasion also allowed the aspirants to sell their aspirations and electoral agenda to the party leadership when given the opportunity to speak.
Mr Kazeem Omotayo, a former director with the Ministry of Commerce, Lagos State and son of the former political leader, Alhaji Omotayo Olufowora, while responding to the request of the leadership of the APC, agreed to accept the primary election’s outcome but he warned that it must be free and fair for him not to challenge it.
“If I can see that the process is free and fair, I will abide by the outcome of the election but if not, I have the right to appeal the outcome.”
Generally, he pledged his loyalty to the party.
A former Director -General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Prince Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan who is contesting the primary election for the third term, also hinted that he may appeal the outcome of the Assembly primary election if the process is thorough and transparent.
“I am not new to the contest but I hope that there will be a free and fair contest. If the primary did not go my way, I would know what to do at the right time.”
“I am not new to the process but I know where and how to channel my grievances if any. I will not because of that do anything detrimental or negative to the party,” he assured.
Another former civil servant with the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology and the youngest aspirant, Mr Kareem Alogba, assured the leaders of his total commitment to the party.
“For me, I am at home and under no circumstance will I throw stones at my own home. Whatever the case may be, I remain loyal to the party.
I am committed to a peaceful primary and progress of the party,” Alogba pledged.
Mr Ayoyinka Ogbe, a second term aspirant, also assured the party leaders that he would align himself with whatever the party decided through the primary election.
“Whatever intricacies and politicking, the party is supreme and I will follow the party’s path.
“While we are doing all these (campaigning), we must be careful about what you say about other aspirants. In all, if you lose today, there will also be another time for you to win
“There is always victory in failure. It always calls for reassessment. I will align with the party’s position”
Prince Adekunle Bada, who was also a former civil servant, who expressed confidence that he would emerge as the candidate of the party for the Assembly election, however, pledged to accept the outcome of the party’s primary election.
“By the grace of God, I know that I will clinch the ticket, but if not, like many people know me as a gentleman to the core, I will abide by whatever the outcome is.
“I have been working for the party since 1998 and I still pledge my total support for the party.
“Ikorodu is my home and where I have lived all my life. I will not do anything whatsoever to create chaos. Thank you,” he said.
Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye, the incumbent Assemblyman who is seeking re – election also pledged to abide by the decision of the party.
“I promise to abide by the rules and respect the outcome of the primary election. Whatever the outcome, I pledge to always be a loyal party member and accept the result in good faith.”
Speaking earlier, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, a chieftain of the APC who presided over the meeting informed the aspirants in attendance that the meeting which is sanctioned by the apex body of the ruling party in Ikorodu is designed to guide them and get their commitment towards achieving a peaceful primary election.
“This parley is part of the process that has been adopted by the apex leaders of APC in Ikorodu. We did the same thing four years ago.
“Why this is important is because you are eligible party members and you have the right to aspire but at the same time, it is the responsibilities and duties of leaders to guide you.
“We have seen your energy, passion and activities; this is just to share experiences so that you will be properly guided. We are doing this to parley with you and recognise your efforts,” he said.
The party chieftain said further:
“All the energy that you are putting into the contest is positive for the party and it shows that we are in a great party. It is only a party that has no hope that does not have aspirants and if they are to contest, they will not be more than two and here we have six of you contesting.”
He said that the meeting has the backing of the apex leaders like Prince Abiodun Ogunleye former Deputy Governor, Lagos State; Asiwaju Olorufunmi Basorun, GAC chieftain and Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, also a GAC chieftain and other leaders and elders of the APC.
He appealed to the aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully and accept the outcome of the primary elections. He warned against anyone leaving the party in protest of whatever outcome.
The Ikorodu Divisional Chairman, APC, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, also appealed to the aspirants to trust the process and accept the outcome of the primary election in good faith because only one among them can occupy the position.
He prayed for an articulate candidate that will have compassion for Ikorodu people to emerge.
He appealed to the aspirants to talk to their supporters not to engage in destroying other aspirants posters.
Otunba Tijani informed them that those that are coming to conduct the elections are not known to anybody yet since they are coming from outside of Ikorodu.
Sharing his experience as a former lawmaker who spent four terms of 16 years in the Assembly Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, described the House of Assembly as full of intrigues and serious politicking.
He charged the aspirants on the need to campaign decently and afford negative or campaign of calumny against each other that can create lifetime discord.
Agunbiade who contested five primary elections in his 16 years sojourn in the House and only lost one, urged the six aspirants to always verify and ascertain information before acting on what they are told.
Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Head of Service, Lagos State, Prince Lanre Balogun, former Commissioner for Rural Development, Deaconess Wonuola Aderibigbe-Oshinowo, APC Lagos Esat Woman leader and Mrs Funmi Osinowo, expressed satisfaction with the profiles and agenda of the aspirants and also urged them to conduct their campaign fairly.
Among other APC leaders at the meeting were Pastor Ajetunmobi, Secretary, APC apex body, Alhaji Animashaun, APC Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Hon. Kunle Odubela, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu, former APC Cahirman, Ikorodu LGA, Dr. Lanre Dixon, Treasurer, APC apex body, Hon. Jumoke Ademehin, former Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Arch. Kara, former Chairman, IDRDG, Alhaji Badru Enifeni, APC chieftain, Mr Adeleke Kara, former Member, TESCOM, Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, AC chieftain Mrs Funmi Osinowo, APC chieftain and Mr Segun Anifowoshe, former Sole Administrator Ikorodu West LCDA among others.
