APC Will Win Coming Council Elections In Lagos – Olaide

Hon. ‘Lanre Olaide, alias #Omobabapupa, a young political activist in the All Progressives Congress (APC), a former Lagos State Coordinator of the Asiwaju Grassroots Youth Foundation and ex-Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ambode Youth Initiative. Hon.

Olaide, a member of all strategic arms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, in this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU , who caught his political teeth under Asiwaju Tinubu’s political tutelage, speaks on his vision to become the Executive Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) in next month’s council election in Lagos State. Excerpt: Could you tell us your political antecedent? Over the years, I have served at the several structures of the party, in different capacities. I am an active member of the APC in Ward-D, Ojokoro LCDA.



I was a member, Contacts and Mobilisation Committee for the Renewed Hope Concert. Olaide was a member of the Youth Directorate, Lagos State Cam­paign Council for the 2023 Pres­idential Election. I am a very active member of The Mandate Movement, Ojokoro Chapter.

Also, I was the Director of Plan­ning and Strategies, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023 (National Headquarters, Maitama, Abu­ja) and the Lagos State Chair­man of the Caretaker Commit­tee. I also served as a Member, Ojokoro Election Monitoring Committee in the 2021 Local Government Election, as well as the Secretary, Progressive Minds for A Greater Lagos (Or­ganisers of One-Million Man Walk for Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat). Other positions I have held included the Lagos State Coor­dinator and later the National Organising Secretary, Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation.

That was before the group became the Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023. I was also a Steering Com­mittee Member, Ambode Youth Initiative. On the community front, I, #Omobabapupa, as I am popularly called, served as the Secretary to Ojokoro Devel­opment Forum, a pioneer youth group that steered a lot of de­velopment that is now being witnessed today in Ojokoro Lo­cal Council Development Area (LCDA).

Why did you decide to contest the coming council election coming up next month? Since the inception of the APC, I have belonged to all the strategic arms of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC). Hav­ing paid my dues as an active player in all strategic arms of his political party, I believe I am ripe to take up higher re­sponsibilities by taking a shot at an elective Chairmanship position. I am doing everything possible to clinch the APC tick­et for the Ojokoro LCDA Chair­manship, but also to win in the entire Council elections over all other party candidates.

How would you describe your political background? I embarked on my political journey with a mind mould­ed with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Progressive politi­cal ideology and philosophy. I learnt through followership and mentorship in values of collec­tive community development and public service. This made me to be naturally focused, particularly under guidance of mentors, coaches and lead­ers who appreciate the grace of God in my mission.

I am a well-groomed young man that is passionate about perfection in stewardship for the benefit of all. I chose a role model that has a clear vision of what a good fu­ture should hold for Nigeria and Nigerians, in the personality of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). As a matter of fact, I school myself in his attributes more than anything else, due to his sensitivity to yearnings of the common masses and the downtrodden in the society.

I have always morally, material­ly, spiritually and intellectually promoted the ideals of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at all lev­els of the political party. This has afforded me tremendous opportunities to be part of all promotional struggles in the APC party structure. All these are courtesy of my privileged scholarship in ‘The Asiwaju’s School of Thoughts’.

I have been able to distinguish my­self among equals. These ex­periences and opportunities so far are rare advantages needed to prepare me for a life in po­litical stewardship within the context of his community. I have been positioned to live an impactful life of immense con­tributions to the development of my constituency, Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

My politi­cal aspiration is built on convic­tion that greater strides can be achieved in the development of one’s community by upholding the ethics of governance. What is your reaction to the recent release of the schedule of the LG elections in Lagos State? It is a welcome development. It is a known fact that Lagos State remains the best in terms of democracy that comes with requisite dividends at the grass­roots level.

Flowing from there, there is a frenzy of political ac­tivities in the state already. How ready are you and your team for campaigns? I am fully ready and prepared for the tasks ahead alongside my articulate team. We have consulted widely with all our Apex leaders, party stalwarts at both Local Government lev­el and at the wards; selling our unique proposition for a pros­perous Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.

We have also engaged critical stake­holders, community leaders and youths all of whom appreciate our vision and mission for the Ojokoro of our dreams. How are you mobilising for support since this is a grassroots election? Thank you for this particular question. As a democrat whose passion for progressive ideas is noticeable, I have reached out widely to critical stakeholders, our highly revered leaders and members in the party, being the take off point prior to when the election guidelines are released.

Since I started active politics, grassroots mobilisation has been my core area. This feat gave me leverage in getting unwavering support from the people of Ojokoro, more im­portantly as a thoroughbred Ojokoro son with unblemished records with all the stakehold­ers and decision makers across the wards. I am confident of a wide acceptance of my candi­dacy as our party’s flag bearer.

What is the response of the people and residents of Ojokoro LCDA to your aspiration? It has been a wonderful ex­perience for me as it is like a homecoming. Like I mentioned earlier, I am an Ojokoro boy, I grew up here, schooled here and I have been residing here all the way. So, majority of those I have interacted with so far were happy to see a thor­oughbred Ojokoro Son in the race and they were all excited which invariably will make the campaign easy for an unprec­edented and record breaking victory at the polls.

We were warmly received in all our out­ings which is an indication of wide acceptance. Are there other formidable oppo­nents within your patty or do you think you may emerge the consen­sus APC candidate? Our party is the dominant party in the country. Definitely, there are formidable opponents, especially in Ojokoro and Ifa­ko-Ijaiye at large.

I am not in any way jittery or worried as I have implicit confidence in our party’s ability to ensure a smooth and transparent process to pick the right candidate to fly the flag of our party during the election. On consensus build­ing, it is a democratic way too, I have no doubt that the best modality will be adopted and I am sure I will get the support of the majority of our leaders and party members. Don’t you foresee a situation where a candidate from an oppo­sition party may give you a tough time or even slam you with a defeat? Ojokoro is a progressive enclave and there is virtually no opposition to our party in this LCDA.

The performances of our present representatives at the Local, State and Feder­al levels; coupled with the gi­ant strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Federal Government has clearly given us an edge over other parties. APC is the leading party any­time in Ojokoro and beyond. So, APC will overwhelmingly win the council elections in Lagos State.

What are the challenges you have so far? There are challenges though, but they are all surmountable. What is your agenda for the people of Ojokoro LCDA? My Agenda will be basically on comprehensive entrepre­neurship development, educa­tion for all with special focus on out of school children, infra­structural revamping/develop­ment, affordable healthcare for all, security and social re-ori­entation. Ojokoro has great potential for business and in­vestment opportunities.

I will ensure that we harness all of these to attract investors and under my watch; we will proj­ect Ojokoro to the world as a destination point for business, entrepreneurial/technical ca­reer advancement, recreation, sports and entertainment. How do you see Local Government Administration in Lagos State? Lagos State is perhaps the only state in Nigeria that has consistently been following democratic processes in the administration of local gov­ernment. Democracy is thriving in the state and I am confident that after the next election, we will experience a very drastic development based on the re­forms embarked upon by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Do you think the Local Govern­ment Administration in Lagos is in line with the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Autonomy? Absolutely, you cannot ex­pect less from a pace setter state where other states come to learn from especially in the area of developmental strides, legislation prowess and adher­ence to the rule of law. What is your advice to LAISEC as the local elections approach? The composition of the board has said it all and you will agree with me. I took my time to re­search the career successes of all the board members.

I am confident that the LASIEC team will not err in the discharge of their constitutional duties..