Hon. BABAJIMI BENSON Tipped For LAGOS Governorship

• As IKORODU Politicians Rally Round Him

If there is one person strongly tipped to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as Lagos State governor come 2027, it’s this politician from Ikorodu who has built human capacity not only for his Constituency but across Lagos State. Hon. BabajimiAdegoke Benson, has what it takes to become the next governor of the state. Why?

Presently, top Ikorodu politicians have started mobilisation and awareness for 2027 and why Ikorodu must be considered in the scheme of things. The Ikorodu indigenes feel its there turn to produce the next governor of the state and they have no other person than Honourable Babajimi Adegoke Benson, representing them at the Federal House of Representatives.

Talk about the most popular politician who has influenced the lives of people especially, in Ikorodu, and no other name other than Hon Babajide would come to mind.

Since his emergence as the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson has been able to influence many projects that have been impacting positively on the Ikorodu Division.

The big news now is that,this Ikorodu born politician has been strongly tipped to succeed the current governor in the state. According to a top Ikorodu politician who spoke to us few days back, reveals why the All Progressives Congress must consider Ikorodu this time.

According to him”some of the best projects that we currently enjoy in Ikorodu and its environs were facilitated by Hon Babajimi. Talking about human empowerment and human capacity building he is number one among many others. He has been doing that for many years. Although, he hasn’t officially come out to vie for the number one seat in the state but almost all of us who have worked with him in the past, think he deserves it.” , he said.

Some market leaders in Ikorodu have also started what we can call mobilisation across major markets in the state. There have been meetings of endorsement among them. From what was revealed to us, the market men and women feel they have a sizeable percentage of vote to influence the outcome of any election in the state.

According to a popular Facebook page with over 40 thousand followers it should be Ikorodus turn come 2027. The post reads: Babajimi Adegoke Benson: A prospect for Lagos State Governorship. If APC culture and tradition of zoning is to be adhere to and abide by then Honourable Jimi Benson ought to be the next governorship candidate for Lagos State.

The political transition in Lagos State is gaining momentum as conversations center on who will succeed Governor Babajimi Sanwo-Olu in 2027. Among the names mentioned Babajimi Adegoke Benson, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency sounds stronger. With a strong legislative record and a deep connection to the Ikorodu area, Benson, is emerging as a potential candidate whose performance demands critical evaluation.

This narrative seeks to examine Benson’s track record, compare his contributions to those of notable leaders both in Nigeria and globally, and raise questions about his readiness to lead Lagos State. It also sets a broader standard for governance and leadership, asking all contenders to demonstrate their capability to ensure a better Lagos for future generations.

Track Record: Babajimi Benson’s Contributions to Ikorodu and Lagos State

As a long-serving legislator, Benson has used his role to push for security and infrastructure improvements, particularly through his position as Chairman of the House Committee on Defence. Key questions arise:

Security: What specific outcomes have resulted from Benson’s motions and bills on enhancing Nigeria’s defense systems? How have these efforts directly impacted Lagos State, particularly Ikorodu? Constituency Development: How effectively has Benson utilized constituency funds to address pressing local needs such as road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and job creation in Ikorodu?

Benson’s leadership in the National Assembly offers him a platform to deliver results not just for Ikorodu but for Lagos State as a whole. However, tangible evidence of his impact on state development must be provided to solidify his candidacy.

The race for Lagos State’s governorship is not merely a contest of popularity or lineage but a test of competence, vision, and accountability. Babajimi Benson’s candidacy offers a compelling opportunity for Ikorodu to produce the next governor, but the burden of proof lies on him and other aspirants to demonstrate their worthiness. By answering tough questions and presenting a clear roadmap for Lagos’ future, they can inspire confidence in their abilities to lead the state toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Below are facts and background of Hon. Babajimi Benson.

Babajimi Adegoke Benson, is a Nigerian politician and member of the House of Representatives of  Nigeria representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Benson was first elected into the Nigerian House of Representatives in 2015 to represent the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019 and has since been re-elected for a third term during the 2023 Nigerian general election.

Babajimi Adegoke Benson, was born on 30 March 1972 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. He attended Lagos State University where he obtained an LLB in 1994. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and obtained a Bachelor of Law (Honors) in 1995. In 1999, he also earned an LLM in Comparative International Business Law from London Guildhall University.

He subsequently pursued an MBA at Warwick Business School in the UK and is a member of both the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

His career started in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. He was appointed as a Legal Officer in the General Counsel Division at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He had also served as an in-house Legal Counsel at Ecobank PLC from 2001 to 2003 and later as Deputy Manager (Legal) at Lead Bank PLC from 2003 to 2004.

In 2007, he became a Non-Executive Director at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, a position he held until his appointment as the company secretary (Strategy, Legal & Corporate Governance) of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.

Babajimi, began his electoral political career in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has served on various committees, including Chairman of the House Committee on Banking and Finance, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Habitat, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Delegated Legislation, and member of Committees on Works, Justice, Housing, Environment, Treaties, and Protocol in the Nigerian House of Representatives. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence and has introduced several bills and motions aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of security agents in the fight against insecurity. He sponsored the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund bill, designed to improve the country’s defence capabilities.

Babajimi voted and advocated for women’s inclusion in political and other leadership positions. As a member of the House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee during the 8th Assembly in 2016, he voted for and supported the gender bills during the constitutional amendments. He has sponsored several bills, including the Good Samaritan Bill, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, and the National Icons, Symbols Legacy Agency Bill, among others. Additionally, he initiated the motion to commemorate World Teachers Day and celebrate Nigerian teachers, and submitted a petition before the House against the Accountant General of the Federation for his refusal to pay salaries and pension arrears of officers who retired from the Federal Civil Service between 2012 and 2020.

–Isaac Abimbade

(08155107955)