Stakeholders in Ebute-Metta West, within Lagos Mainland Local Government, have raised the stakes ahead of the 2027 general elections, demanding equitable political representation after what they describe as over two decades of exclusion from key elective offices—particularly the House of Representatives.
At a well-attended stakeholders’ forum, community leaders, political actors, and party faithful voiced strong concerns over what they termed a persistent imbalance in representation within the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency. They called on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and government authorities to urgently address the disparity in the spirit of justice, fairness, and inclusion.
Speaking at the gathering, political activist and indigene, Mr. Dapo Williams, traced the root of the agitation to the structural composition of the constituency. He explained that while Constituency I (Yaba) comprises four wards, Constituency II—covering Ebute-Metta East and West—has seven wards, yet Yaba has dominated the House of Representatives seat for nearly 20 years.
Williams noted that although Ebute-Metta East has had a share of representation in the past, Ebute-Metta West has never produced a representative since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
“Our demand is straightforward—justice, fairness, and equity. It is time for Ebute-Metta West to take its rightful place in representing Lagos Mainland at the federal level,” he asserted.
He further emphasized that the community has remained loyal to the ruling party over the years, consistently contributing to electoral victories, and should no longer be sidelined in the distribution of political opportunities.
Adding his voice, former councillor and respected community leader, Hon. Samson Sambakiu, warned against any attempt to impose candidates, describing such moves as contrary to democratic principles.
“We reject any form of imposition. What we seek is fairness. Party leadership must reflect the will of the people,” he said.
Also speaking, Engr. Oladipo Alade Falase described the agitation as a longstanding struggle dating back to 1999. He highlighted Ebute-Metta West’s unwavering support for progressive political platforms—from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and now the APC—despite being consistently overlooked in both elective and appointive positions.
Data presented at the forum showed that major political offices in Lagos Mainland, including the Local Government Chairmanship, House of Assembly, and House of Representatives seats, have largely been occupied by individuals from Yaba and Ebute-Metta East over the past 27 years—a trend stakeholders described as a “deep-rooted imbalance.”
They noted that by the end of the current House of Representatives tenure in 2027, Yaba would have held the seat cumulatively for about 20 years, while Ebute-Metta West would remain without representation.
In a unified decision, the stakeholders endorsed Prince Abdul Akeem Omolaja Animashaun, a legal practitioner and indigene of Ebute-Metta West, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives race.
Describing him as “young, articulate, dynamic, and people-oriented,” the group expressed confidence in his ability to deliver impactful and inclusive representation.
The forum also made a direct appeal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the APC State leadership, and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to intervene and ensure fairness in the political arrangement.
“This is beyond politics—it is about correcting a long-standing imbalance and restoring a sense of belonging to a vital segment of Lagos Mainland,” the stakeholders stated.
The meeting ended with a firm call for inclusiveness, transparency, and adherence to democratic ideals in the selection of candidates as political activities gradually build toward the 2027 elections.
