The presidential and National Assembly elections have finally come and gone. While many Nigerians are still basking in the euphoria of the results, or struggling to come to terms with it, depending on which side of the divide you are, some others are already gearing for next Saturday.
Come next Saturday, March 2nd, 2019, Nigerians will go to the polls again to vote for the governor and House of Assembly representative of their choice. One of the states that will come under the spotlight during the governorship elections is Lagos state. And the reason is obvious. Lagos state is regarded as the power house of APC.
It is the home and fortress of the Master Strategist himself, the Jagan Borgu of Nigerian politics and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In political circles, the word out there is that if the opposition is serious about grounding the massive APC machinery that has its tentacles spread all over the country to a halt, then, you must have to defeat APC in Lagos. So far, that feat has remained elusive for the opposition.
But still, this year, just like previous election years, the opposition will hope things will be different. For the gubernatorial election, the PDP have a formidable opponent in the charismatic APC governorship aspirant, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while the PDP will be relying on Mr. Jimi Agbaje for victory.
Those who have followed closely the grounds these two have covered in terms of building a strong base of supporters will tell you
If the massive defection of seven out of the eight PDP Lawmakers in the House of Assembly to APC in 2017, is anything to go by, leaving only one PDP Lawmaker remaining in the House of 40 members, then this year’s election may very well be a one-way traffic.
But those who know politics inside out would tell you that, in politics, things can change very quickly. Anything can happen. In this edition, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL, brings you a comprehensive list of all thirty-nine APC Lawmakers who will go to the polls and do battle this Saturday, March 2nd, for a seat at the Lagos House of Assembly. In addition, we also serve you the list of the APC Lawmakers who lost out at the primaries.
RT. HON. MUDASHIRU OBASAThis outstanding politician is the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly.
He represents Agege 1 Constituency and one of the senior ranking officers in the House. If he emerges victorious at the next elections, he will become the only 5th term member in the House.
DEPUTY SPEAKER, WASIU ESHILOKUN.
He represents Lagos Island Constituency 1. He was first elected a member of the House in 1999 but could not return for a second term. But he made a triumphant return in 2015 and was soon elected deputy speaker of the House.
MAJORITY LEADER, HON. SANAI O. AGUNBIADE
This very grounded politician is the majority leader of the House and one of the senior ranking officers. He represents Ikorodu Constituency 1.
CHIEF WHIP, HON. LATEEF ABIRU
A man described as very unassuming but also deeply grounded in politics, he represents Shomolu Constituency II.
DEPUTY LEADER, HON. WAHAB JIMOH
He is one of the respected leaders in the Lagos House of Assembly. He represents Apapa Constituency 1.
HON. OGUNDIMU YINKA
A close ally of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, Hon. Ogundimu is a thoroughbred grassroots politician. He represents Agege Constituency II.
HON. SANGODARA ROTIMI
She is one of the emerging female
HON. FATAI
He represents Ibeju Lekki 1. He is a young but emerging force in Lagos politics.
HON. LUKMON OLUMO
He is contesting for the Lagos Assembly seat for the first time, having beaten the out going representative, Hon. Dayo Famakinwa at the recently concluded APC primaries. He is representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun constituency 1.
HON. FATAI OLUWA
He represents Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency II. He is currently on his first term and seeking re-election.
HON. ADEBISI YUSUF
Regarded as the oldest member in the House in terms of age, but Hon. Yusuf rarely carries himself like a man advanced in age. He is young at heart, still possesses a very sound mind and is a workaholic. He represents Alimosho Constituency 1.
HON. KEHINDE JOSEPH
He is also contesting for the Lagos Assembly seat for the first time, having beaten out going representative, Hon. Omotayo Oduntan at the last APC primaries. He is representing Alimosho Constituency II.
HON. MOJISOLA MACAULEY
She is one of the new faces contesting for the Lagos Assembly seat. She is contesting for the first time and she represents Amuwo- Odofin 1. To occupy the seat, she will have to contend with Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu, who is currently the Lawmaker, and the only PDP member of the House, representing Amuwo Odofin.
HON. WALE RAUF
He is another fresh face. He picked up the ticket at the last APC primaries by defeating Hon. Akeem Bello, who is currently the outgoing Lawmaker representing Amuwo -Odofin Constituency II.
HON. MOJISOLA MERANDA
This quiet but brilliant lawmaker is on her first term and seeking re-election for a second term. She presents Apapa Constituency 1
HON. IBRAHIM LAYODE
A very pragmatic and reliable politician. He is one of the senior ranking officers at the Lagos House of Assembly and he seeks re-election for the third term. Hon. Layode is perhaps at present Badagry’s brightest prospect in modern day politics. He represents Badagry Constituency 1.
HON. DAVID SETONJI
Another very strong force in Badagry politics. He is also one of the respected members of the Lagos House of Assembly. He represents Badagry Constituency II.
HON. ABIODUN TOBUN
He is a very likeable man and a brilliant politician. He represents Epe Constituency 1 and is seeking re-election for a third term.
HON. SEGUN OGUNKELU
Another new face seeking for a seat at the Lagos Assembly for the first time. He replaced Hon. Segun Olulade who vacated the seat to contest for the House of Representatives slot but lost. Hon. Ogunkelu will be representing Epe Constituency II if he emerges victorious at this Saturday’s elections.
HON. GBOLAHAN YISHAWU
He is, without a doubt, one of the brightest brains at the Lagos House of Assembly. An exceedingly intelligent man, this lawmaker who is seeking re-election for a third term represents Eti-Osa 1. He is one of those primed for leadership positions in the House.
HON. NOHEEM ADAMS
He is in his first term at the Lagos House of Assembly. He represents Eti-Osa Constituency II.
HON. KAZEEM RAHEEM
He is the lawmaker representing Ibeju Lekki Constituency II. He is a grassroots man with massive prospects to emerge victorious this Saturday.
HON. TEMITOPE ADEWALE
He is also one of the new faces contesting for the first time. He replaced Hon. Saka Fafunmi who aspired to represent Ifako Ijaiye Constituency 1 at the Federal House of Representatives but lost.
HON. RASHEED MAKINDE
He is a tested and trusted grassroots politician. He represents the people of Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency II.
HON. FOLAJIMI MOHAMMED
He is the son of Nigeria’s current Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. He is also a young emerging force in Lagos politics himself. He represents Ikeja Constituency 1.
HON. ADEDANOLA KASUNMU
He is nephew to APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And he has done very well for himself, making his own modest impact in the House of Assembly as the lawmaker representing Ikeja Constituency II.
HON. SAKA SOLAJA
He is one of the most vibrant lawmakers to come out from the Ikorodu axis of Lagos state. His mega empowerment programme is still regarded as the biggest in that part of Lagos. He represents Ikorodu Constituency II and seeks re-election for a second term.
HON. GANIU OKANLAWON SANNI
He is another new entrant into the mix. He is hoping to represent Kosofe Constituency 1, having replaced Hon. Bayo Osinowo who contest for a Senatorial seat and won.
HON. TUNDE BRAIMOH
He is one of the most vibrant members of the Lagos Assembly. A very eloquent politician, Hon. Tunde Braimoh is a lawyer by training and an accomplished politician. He represents Kosofe Constituency II and seeks re-election for a second term.
HON. LANRE AFINNI
He is one of the new faces. He beat the outgoing lawmaker representing Lagos Island II, Hon. Sola Giwa, at the primaries.
HON. MOSHOOD OSHUN OLANREWAJU
He is also one of the senior ranking members in the Lagos House of Assembly. An extremely intelligent man, Honourable Oshun is one of the men considered to have the prospects of taking up significant leadership positions in the House in the not too distant future. He represents Lagos Mainland Constituency II.
HON. NURENI AKINSANYA
He is another new comer. He came in through the primaries to replace Hon. Funmi Tejuoso who vacated the position to take a shot at the federal House of Representatives but lost out at the primaries. He will be representing Mushin Constituency 1.
HON. OLAWALE SOBUR
A very loved and respected politician. He represents the good people of Mushin constituency II where he commands a huge following and loyalty from his people.
HON. VICTOR AKANDE OLUWASEGUN
He represents Ojo Constituency 1. This lawyer turned politician is regarded as one of the most vibrant members of the House.
HON. SURAJU OLATUNJI
He is also a new comer. He picked up the ticket at the APC primaries when Hon. Olanrewaju Ogunyemi vacated the seat to take a shot at the Federal House of Representatives but lost out at the primaries.
HON.
He represents Oshodi/Isolo 1. He is also on his first term and is seeking re-election for
HON. JUDE EMEKA IDIMOGU
He is the only Igbo man in the Lagos House of Assembly and one of those who defected from PDP to APC in 2017. He represents Oshodi/Isolo II and is seeking re-election for a second term.
HON. ROTIMI OLOWO
He represents Shomolu Constituency 1. He is currently on his first term and is hoping to be re-elected for a second term.
HON. DESMOND ELLIOT
He is quite a popular and hugely loved figure both in the House and in his constituency Surulere 1 on account of his massive popularity as a successful Nollywood actor. He has done exceedingly well for his constituent and is expected to return for a second term.
THOSE WHO LOST OUT
The last APC primaries were a keenly contested one. And like any other primaries, it did not come and go without leaving behind a few casualties. Perhaps the biggest casualty was that of Hon. Funmi Tejuoso, the very eloquent and gorgeous lawyer turned politician who represented Mushin constituency 1.
She had done four terms at the Lagos House of Assembly, giving quality representation to her people. But this time, she decided to give the federal House of Representatives a shot but lost at the primaries. The news of her loss sent shock waves to the length and breadth of the Lagos political landscape as many see in her huge potentials to give women strong representation at the highest level.
Another prominent politician whose loss at the primaries shocked many is Hon. Segun Olulade. He aspired to represent his people of Epe at the federal level but lost out at the primaries.
It was expected that it would be an easy ride for him, given the fact that he’s done exceedingly well for his people, putting together some of the biggest empowerment programs by a Lawmaker ever witnessed in the country. Others who lost out are Hon. Sola Giwa of Lagos Island II, Hon. Adekanye Oladele of Lagos Mainland 1, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi of Ojo II, Hon. Saka Fafunmi of Ifako Ijaiye 1, Hon. Dayo Famakinwa of Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1 and Hon. Akeem Bello of Amuwo-Odofin II.
