By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A political group, Agege Youth Vanguard, has purchased a N5m chairmanship nomination form for AbdulGaniyu Obasa, the son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
The group’s coordinator, Ismael Garba, announced the development at a news conference held Thursday in Agege, Lagos, where he explained that the gesture was a show of support for the younger Obasa ahead of the July 12 local government election.
Garba stated, “Our interest is not about personal gain or to make Agege any political leader’s private fiefdom as may be insinuated in some quarters. We will all agree that the change we desire in Nigeria can only be achieved when the country is in good hands; and key to the development of a nation is its grassroots management.”
He added, “We have put our money where our mouth is by contributing N5m among our members to buy APC nomination form for AbdulGaniyu to enable him to contest for the party primary.”
Garba also disclosed that seven councillorship aspirants across the local government’s wards would be given free nomination forms to join AbdulGaniyu’s proposed team.
According to Garba, the group is collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure that a competent candidate emerges.
“Obasa is well-educated and competent. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Hertfordshire in England, and a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from Aston University, Birmingham. A PhD student at Babcock University, AbdulGaniyu is also an affiliate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants,” he said.
He highlighted the younger Obasa’s work experience at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Providus Bank Limited, and Parallex Bank Limited, where he served as Head of Performance Management and Strategy.
Garba dismissed suggestions that AbdulGaniyu’s candidacy was solely based on his father’s political influence.
“That his father is the Speaker of the State House of Assembly should not deny the community of a competent leader,” he argued.
On Monday, the incumbent chairman of Agege Local Government, Mr. Ganiyu Egunjobi, declared his backing for the Speaker’s son, expressing confidence in his capacity to lead the council effectively.
“The young politician has what it takes to take the council to the next level,” Egunjobi said.
On Wednesday, the council’s Vice Chairman and a fellow chairmanship aspirant, Oluwagbemiga Abiola, also stepped down from the race to support AbdulGaniyu’s candidacy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Abiola cited loyalty to the Speaker and the party as the reason for his decision.
“I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,” Abiola stated. “He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015. In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time.”
“In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman — all through the party’s and Speaker’s support. So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence?”
Abiola acknowledged his ambition but emphasised respect for the party’s decision.
“Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree. Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that.”
Garba, while commending the outgoing chairman, said, “We commend the outgoing Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, for making our local government better than he met it. Agege Local Government under his watch has witnessed tremendous development in terms of infrastructure and human capital.”