Agege Traditional Leaders Endorse APC Assembly Candidates Ahead of 2027 Elections

 

By Atlantic Reports

Traditional community leaders in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State have endorsed two All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates seeking election to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2027.

The endorsement, announced in a statement issued by the candidates' campaign organisations on Friday, October 9, 2026, named Oluwagbenga Abiola for Agege Constituency I and Sakiru Akindele for Agege Constituency II.

According to the statement, the traditional leaders, known as Baales, based their decision on what they described as the candidates' leadership records and commitment to grassroots development.

The endorsement reflects the continuing influence of traditional institutions in community affairs and political engagement, particularly in areas where local leaders maintain close relationships with residents.

However, the statement did not identify the individual Baales involved or provide details of the consultations that preceded their decision.

Traditional Leaders Cite Grassroots Development

In Yoruba traditional administration, Baales serve as community heads who maintain relationships with residents and often operate under the authority of recognised traditional rulers, including Obas.

Their responsibilities commonly involve community representation, local dispute resolution and engagement with government authorities.

In Agege, the endorsement places the two APC candidates within an established network of community leadership.

The campaign organisations said the Baales considered the candidates' records and their stated commitment to local development before expressing support.

However, the statement did not provide specific projects, achievements or performance indicators used to assess the candidates.

Such details would help residents independently evaluate the basis of the endorsement.

Traditional leaders may influence public discussions and community priorities, but their political preferences do not determine how individual residents will vote.

Abiola Describes Endorsement as Call to Service

Reacting to the development, Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu, welcomed the endorsement as an expression of confidence in his candidacy.

He said the support carried responsibilities beyond electoral politics and reinforced the importance of maintaining constructive relationships with community stakeholders.

According to him, traditional institutions possess valuable knowledge of local needs and should be recognised as important partners in community development.

“Agege deserves representatives who will listen, engage stakeholders, respect traditional institutions and work tirelessly for the people,” Abiola said.

He maintained that his political vision centred on unity, development, opportunity and what he described as purposeful representation.

The candidate pledged to justify the confidence expressed in him if elected to the state legislature.

He also thanked the traditional leaders for their support, describing the endorsement as an additional responsibility to serve residents.

What the Endorsement Means for Agege

The development comes as political parties and prospective candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections.

For residents of Agege Constituencies I and II, the contest will provide an opportunity to examine competing proposals on issues affecting their communities.

These include road infrastructure, drainage, public education, healthcare, youth employment, market development and the quality of public services.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are responsible for lawmaking, representation and oversight of government activities.

Consequently, voters will need to assess not only candidates' relationships with traditional leaders but also their understanding of legislative responsibilities and their capacity to advance constituency interests.

The endorsement may provide political visibility for Abiola and Akindele, although its effect on voting preferences cannot be established from the campaign statement.

Community Support and Electoral Accountability

The involvement of traditional leaders in political activities also raises questions about the relationship between customary authority and democratic participation.

Traditional institutions can provide channels for communicating community concerns to political officeholders.

However, maintaining public confidence requires that residents remain free to support candidates of their choice, regardless of endorsements made by community leaders.

The statement did not indicate whether the Baales had considered other candidates or whether their endorsement represented a collective position reached through a formal community process.

It also contained no separate remarks from Akindele concerning the development.

As campaigns develop, the two APC candidates will face the broader task of explaining their priorities, proposed legislative interventions and plans for engaging constituents.

For Agege residents, the significance of any political endorsement will ultimately rest on whether elected representatives deliver accountable, accessible and effective public service.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.