EID, ENDORSEMENTS, AND THE UNVEILING OF TEAM LAGOS ISLAND
It was a moment of grace, affirmation, and high spirits at the Lagos State House Banquet, Marina, as the sacred celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha merged seamlessly with a defining political moment for Lagos Island. Earlier today, before His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor/APC Governorship Candidate and the apex leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the path to 2027 was formally sanctified. What we witnessed was not merely a presentation; it was a symbolic handshake between the people’s mandate and the party’s structure.
As the dust of internal democracy settles, the air is now clear. It is confirmed, signed, and sealed: I, Hon. (Prince) Kayode Moshood Akiolu, stand before the people as the authentic APC candidate for the House of Representatives, Lagos Island Federal Constituency II. Beside me stands a formidable political strategist, Hon. Dolapo Badru, who carries the mandate for Lagos Island Federal Constituency I. For the island, this is the most potent federal legislative ticket in recent history.
The State Assembly ticket is equally one of beauty and brawn. For the Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos Island Constituency I, the baton rests securely in the hands of Hon. (Princess) Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon, a woman of profound pedigree and passion. Her confirmation alongside Hon. Yunus Abiodun Nurudeen, our flagbearer for Lagos Island Constituency II, signals that the party values a blend of royal heritage, street credibility, and legislative experience. Indeed, the island is blessed with a balanced ticket.
To the other aspirants who contested keenly for the State Assembly slots, we extend a hand of camaraderie wrapped in the gentle banter of a family squabble settled. There were no losers at this primary; there were only builders. The fervor of your campaigns sharpened our eventual candidates. Now, we must recycle that passion into a unified force. I say with a smile, the election is not in December; it is far away in 2027, so let your political blood pressure settle—there is ample time to join the moving train of victory.
Let us be clear about what this selection represents. Governor Sanwo-Olu and the party stakeholders have deliberately constructed a team that mirrors the soul of Lagos Island. We have combined federal legislative reach with state-level expertise. This synergy is the antidote to the stagnation of yesteryears. When Hon. Badru and I legislate in Abuja, and Princess Omolara and Hon. Yunus align the laws in Alausa, the constituent will no longer feel the usual friction between the state and federal governments.
The celebration of Eid-ul-Adha provided the perfect metaphor for this political dawn. Just as the season teaches submission, sacrifice, and divine provision, the emergence of these candidates came through a peaceful, rancour-free primary. For this tranquility, we owe immense gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Their insistence on a credible process has birthed candidates who are not just party favorites, but indeed the people’s choice.
Sceptics often ask: what is the guarantee of victory in 2027? The guarantee lies in the report card we are building today. It is anchored on the continuity of progressive representation. Our people will not be swayed by the empty rhetoric of political tourists who surface only during election seasons. They know the candidates who stay back to break fast with them during Ramadan, who mourn with them during bereavement, and who show up at their children’s naming ceremonies. We have paid our dues in community service.
Our vision for the growth and development of Lagos Island hinges on a seamless legislative synergy. Historically, a disconnect between the House of Representatives and the State Assembly often stalls development. Under this new dispensation, that gap will be closed. We are not just candidates from the same party; we are siblings and friends who share a unified vision. When we put pen to paper in our respective chambers, it will be with one voice for the island.
We assure the good people of Lagos Island that this team has the capacity to attract the long-desired dividends of democracy. The House of Reps members will tackle the legislative impediments denying us federal presence, while our House of Assembly members will ensure our local laws favor the ease of doing business and the protection of our heritage. It is a partnership that transcends mere photo opportunities at Marina; it is a pact for good governance.
To the youths, the market women, the artisans, and the traditional institutions, your hope is safe in our hands. The days of representation by coincidence are over. What you have now is representation by conviction. We know your roads, we feel the pulse of your commerce, and we understand the delicate cultural fabric of our island. This team is not just capable of winning an election; we are primed for the serious business of governance that follows the celebration.
It is worth reiterating the peaceful nature of the process that produced us. While other zones may be counting wounds, we are counting blessings. This is the Lagos Island standard. We have shown that politics can be a game of ideas without breaking bones. We commend every stakeholder who prioritized the collective interest of the party over personal ambition. That is the discipline the President and the Governor have instilled in us.
This is a call to unity. The primary is over, and the general election is our common enemy. We must now turn the energy of our respective campaign structures towards the grand goal of ensuring the APC wins every single polling unit on the island. It is a task that requires the involvement of the elected candidates and the previously contending aspirants. There are no abandoned boots in this squad; every soldier is needed at the frontlines.
Our appreciation goes to the elders, leaders and the traditional ruler and chiefs for their stabilizing voices during the internal contests. We promise a campaign that will be issue-based, rich in candor, and devoid of character assassination. We are not selling a product the people do not know; we are simply reintroducing trusted hands. The synergy between the federal and state candidates will be the hallmark of our joint campaigns moving forward, so expect to see us everywhere, together.
As the festivities of Eid wind down, let this message ring out across Idumota to Okofaji, and from Tinubu to Obalende: hope is alive. The 2027 General Election will usher in an era where representation is felt, not just heard. The candidates have been presented, the prayers have been said, and the structure is set. With God on our side and the people in our hearts, we march forward with a shared resolve for victory.
Long live Lagos Island. Long live Lagos State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Adamoh-faniyan Bolaji
Media Aide to Hon. (Prince) Kayode Moshood Akiolu, MHR, Representing Lagos Island Federal Constituency II
Chairman, House Committee on Anti-corruption
