Kunle Adelabu
Few hours to the House of Assembly primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), holding on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, it is certain that five aspirants who have been cleared alongside the incumbent Ikorodu Constituency I representative, Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo, are serious about unseating him, going by their activities, mobilisation and drives in the past weeks.
The five aspirants eyeing the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly are – Prince Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan, Mr Ayoyinka Ogbe, Mr Kareem Ladega, Prince Adekunle Eniola Bada and Mr Kazeem Omotayo.
Hon. Ogunleye emerged as the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, three years ago after wining the 2023 General Elections to succeed Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Agunbiade, the former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly who served for 16 years.
At the moment, Hon. Ogunleye has to fight for another ticket a year into the completion of his first term. Incidentally, two of his opponents – Prince Oluwatoyin Bolowotan and Mr Ayoyinka Ogbe, also contested the APC primary election alongside the incumbent lawmaker four years ago when he emerged as the candidate of the party.
Who are the six aspirants that will be seeking the votes of about 100, 000 registered APC voters in Wednesday’s House of Assembly primary election for Ikorodu Constituency I?
Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye
Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo, son of the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), incumbent lawmaker and representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I, in the Lagos State House of Assembly, was a former administrator of Ikorodu LG.
He is a holder of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Economics from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. He is currently pursuing his masters programme.
He is the Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Investments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ogunleye, who has come under serious public scrutiny, said that he actively participated in all the Bills and Motions presented in the House in the last three years.
He also listed Economic Development Interventions under which he has supported small scale businesses and others; Road Rehabilitation and Infrastructures through which he said that he has facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of numerous roads and other projects, and Educational Interventions under which he has also facilitated the construction of many blocks of classrooms and rehabilitation of others among other interventions.
Other areas that Hon. Ogunleye said that he has contributed meaningfully are Sports and Youth Development; Promotion of Cultural Heritage; Religious Organisation Development, Constituency Connection and Support for his party, APC.
In his quest to get the APC ticket for another general election, Hon. Ogunleye has secured the endorsement of the apex APC leadership in Ikorodu Division and other strategic stakeholders.
Ogunleye, being the son of the apex leader in Ikorodu, incumbent representative with just one term and support of many leaders who are still loyal to his father, is the candidate to beat in tomorrow’s primary election.
Prince Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan
Prince Oluwatoyin Bolowotan was a former Director -General, Lagos State Sports Commission, and a three – term aspirant for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
From the private sector where he co-built Prime Signs Ltd into a leading branding and signage powerhouse employing hundreds of Nigerians, to his strategic involvement in multiple ventures that support local enterprise, he has consistently contributed to economic development, especially within Ikorodu.
Beyond business, his public service record sets him apart. As Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Bolowotan brought structure, innovation, and renewed energy into the sports sector. Under his leadership, Lagos sports witnessed improved organization, talent development, and stronger representation on national and international stages. His role as a Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (Sports & Environment Commission) further highlights his exposure, experience, and ability to operate at the highest levels of governance and administration.
During his time in charge of the sports commission, Bolowotan initiated and facilitated many developmental projects some of which are the Igbogbo stadium which is nearing completion, LASUSTECH stadium, employment opportunities for many Ikorodu residents and sustained sports development, especially in the area of using it to empower the youths.
Bolowotan, like in his previous attempts, has a large followers and support of many critical stakeholders and leaders across the Ikorodu Constituency I, who are rooting for his emergence. He has also been able to secure the endorsement of many groups and associations.
He is a leading aspirant to clinch the ticket.
Ogbe Adebola Ayoyinka
Mr Ogbe Ayoyinka, who aspired for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in 2023, is a young and dynamic man from the Odujumo Araba Royal Family of Ikorodu.
The aspirant had distinguished eight years of service with the Lagos State House of Assembly, as a Principal Legislative Officer, contributing significantly to legislative drafting, public hearings, budget scrutiny, and oversight functions.
He served across major committees, including Budget and Economic Planning, Judiciary and Human Rights, Information Strategy and Security, Health Services, and House Services, as well as various ad-hoc committees constituted to address critical governance issues.
Ogbe began his educational journey at Ola-Olu Primary School, Somolu, Lagos, and proceeded to Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja. He holds a B.A. (Ed.) in History from Lagos State University, Ojo, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
He further enhanced his expertise with professional studies in Finance and Governance, including certification as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) and government licensing in financial advisory practice in Canada.
His core interests focus on human capacity development, infrastructural advancement, financial discipline, youth empowerment, grassroots development, security reform, and sustainable policy formulation for state and national development.
He is one of the aspirants that first made their aspiration publicly and reached out far and wide. Yinka is a serious contender for the seat.
Adekunle Eniola Bada
Prince Adekunle Bada (AEB), ACIPM, FIPMA, CPM, FCHIRM, F.CCA, Dr. FIMALE, FCIPAG (USA), is one of the aspirants for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu Constituency I seat.
He is a Lagos-based administrator, public servant, and educator. Until he declared for the Assembly position, he was with the Lagos State Government.
Bada has Master’s in Human Resource & Industrial Relations (MHRIR) 2013/14, Lagos State University (LASU); B.Sc. Industrial Relations & Personnel Management 2008, LASU and Pivotal Teachers Training Programme: Grade II Certificate 2001.
He attended Oriwu College (now Oriwu Model College), Ikorodu, for his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) 1995 and African Bethel Primary School, Ikorodu, for his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) 1988/1989.
As a former government employee, Bada had, at various times, worked in differently ministries, parastatals and agencies among which are: Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Alausa; Open & Confidential Registry Unit 2006 – 2007; Office of Architectural Services 2007 – 2009; Office of the Chief of Staff 2009 – 2013; Civil Service Pensions Office (CSPO) 2013 – 2015, and Lagos State Lands Bureau 2015 – March 2025.
