Kunle Adelabu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Gbadebowale Oyefusi, has stated that Lagosians are demanding for fresh ideas, accountability and measured results from whomever that is to govern Lagos State.
Hon. Oyefusi, who is a Prince of late Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Salaudeen Afolabi Oyefusi, CON, made the comment while reacting to the statement credited to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, during his visit with his Deputy Gubernatorial candidate, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, and the Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo -Olu, to the Ayangbure Palace in Ikorodu, where they met all the traditional chiefs and political stakeholders in Ikorodu Division ahead of the forthcoming General Elections.
Dr. Hamzat, had dismissed the candidates of the opposition parties as lacking the required knowledge about the state and the capacity to administer Lagos. He added the state which has been in his party’s safe hands cannot be experimented with because of its importance.
The ADC Assembly candidate in a statement on Saturday, said Lagos residents are entitled to ask the ruling party questions about how the state has fared under the APC since 1999. He argued that long hold on the state should not be arrogated to competence.
“The recent comments dismissing opposition candidates as lacking the knowledge and administrative competence to govern Lagos deserve a serious response.
The people of Lagos State should be the judges of competence—not political rhetoric.”
”After years of one-party dominance, Lagosians are entitled to ask very simple questions: Is life becoming more affordable? Are housing costs manageable? Are basic public services keeping pace with the taxes and charges pauable by citizens? Are ordinary families feeling the benefit of government?”
”For many Lagosians, the reality is that the cost of living remains extremely difficult. Rents continue to place enormous pressure on families, while residents and businesses face numerous taxes, levies and charges.
People who invest their own resources in private boreholes because public water supply is inadequate naturally have questions to ask. People who turn to solar energy because of unreliable electricity also deserve to ask why they should continue carrying additional financial burdens simply for trying to provide basic services for themselves.
Government revenue should ultimately translate into better services and a better quality of life—not simply more taxation. And after eight years of the present administration, Lagosians deserve more than an argument that continuity is automatically competence.
The people have the right to demand new ideas, fresh thinking, accountability and measurable results. That is the conversation the ADC is bringing to Lagos,” Hon. Oyefusi said.
The assembly candidate said that the Gubernatorial candidate of the ADC is an alternative to what the ruling APC is offering Lagosians and urged that the electorate should be the ones judging their competence to govern the state.
”Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is not presenting himself as a perfect politician. He is presenting an alternative vision for Lagos—one built around people, accountability, inclusion and a government that listens. His own public statements have emphasised grassroots organisation and a Lagos that works for its residents.
The ADC has now officially nominated Rhodes-Vivour as its Lagos governorship candidate for 2027.
So rather than dismissing opposition candidates, let us put the candidates before the people and allow Lagosians to examine their experience, programmes, ideas, records and capacity to govern.”
While stating that Lagos does not belong to a party, Hon. Oyefusi also charged that custodians of traditions and culture should not be made partisan.
”There should also be no room in a modern democracy for intimidation or political pressure against traditional rulers, Baales, community leaders or ordinary citizens because of their political choices.”
”Traditional institutions belong to the people. They should be respected, protected and allowed to remain above partisan intimidation.
Lagos does not belong to one political party. Lagos belongs to Lagosians.”
He emphasised that his party is bringing responsiveness and accountability into the administration of the state, while stressing that Lagosians should be the deciders ofthe party to govern their affairs.
”The opposition is coming with a message that government must become more responsive to the realities of ordinary people: affordable housing, better public services, accountable taxation, reliable infrastructure, economic opportunities and respect for citizens.”
”The real question is therefore not: Can the opposition govern Lagos? After years in power, has the government done enough to make Lagos work better for the ordinary citizen—and what new ideas can take us forward?”
”Let the people decide. A New Lagos Is Possible,” the ADC candidate said.
