Agege Federal Constituency is one of the most politically-active and politically-informed in Lagos State, reports thegazellenews.com.
Agege has always been the enclave of the progressives, since the creation of the local government and even when it was under the control of the old Ikeja Division, the people of Agege have never turned its back on the progressives.
Thus, Agege remains a strategic and important political enclave for aspiring political parties aiming to control power.
Over the years, Agege has produced popular politicians who have pulled their weight in the political dispensation of the state.
The Senator representing Ikeja Division in the Second Republic, Senator Adeyiga Ajayi was from Agege, so also was the Late lawyer, Abdul Ganiyu Ajimotokan and Late socialite/politician, Akinola Sofidiya. We won’t also forget Chief Dapo Sarumi whose political group, Primrose Circle was once the most formidable political group in the state.
We won’t also forget the flamboyant, very popular and enigmatic Chief Enoch Kolapomoye Ajiboso, the first man to be elected twice as the Chairman of the council. Ajiboso became Chairman of Chairmen in Lagos and National Treasure of ALGON.
Perhaps the greatest claim to importance for Agege is providing the political base for then Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was contesting for the Senatorial seat of the Lagos West Senatorial District. Tinubu is now the President of Nigeria.
In recent times, particularly since the commencement of the present political dispensation, some politicians have emerged who are not only popular but have made themselves accessible to the people.
They live among them, eat and wine with them and interact with them regularly, one even play football with them weekly. We look at five most accessible politicians in Agege.
(1) Taofeek Abiodun Adaranijo: the three-time Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area is one of the most popular politicians in Agege.
Popularly called TACO by his admirers, Adaranijo has a very intimidating political resume.
He was first elected a councillor in the Zero Party era, and reelected councilor during the transition programme of Late General Sani Abacha.
He was elected Vice Chairman of old Agege Local Government, became the first Executive Secretary of Orile Agege LCDA and would go on to become the first elected Chairman of the council.
Currently, a Commissioner in the state Local Government Service Commission, Adaranijo also represented the Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
He is easily accessible and both his homes on Orile Road and the Arigbanla Estate are open to residents who wants to see him. He operates an open-door policy that allows people to have access to him on regular basis.
(2) Honourable (Dr) Oluyinka Ogundimu: Yinka Ogundimu was born and has lived all his life in Agege. His family compound is at Olaa Bua family in Orile. He attended Vetland Grammar School, and Anwar-ul-Islam College, all in Agege.
His constituency office on Orile Road is a beehive of activities. Domiciled in the Constituency Office is a viewing center where youths in the council come to watch football free of charge. An ardent Arsenal supporter, Ogundimu can be found among the youths watching football from time to time.
Every Saturday, the former lawmaker can be found at Vetland Grammar School field playing football with youths.
There is no carnival he is invited to that he doesn’t participate in, Ogundimu has special connections with the people at the grassroots because he has been living and continues to live among them.
Dr Kayode Opeifa: Despite his busy schedule, Opeifa still creates time to interact with his people in Agege.
His house at Oyewole Road in Mulero area of Agege is always a beehive of activities.
Opeifa operates an open-door policy that allows people to have direct access to him.
He is the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). He was a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State. Many in Agege have not forgotten how he facilitated job opportunities to the youths especially through the state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) when he was commissioner.
Today, Opeifa remains a well-loved politician in Agege. He connects well with the people of the Federal Constituency
Dr Samuel Babatunde Adejare: SABACO as he is popularly called is a medical doctor. Before going into politics, the former member of the House of Representatives has connected with the people of his area particularly in Orile Agege where he lives and have his hospital.
By the time he was elected a member of the state House of Assembly, he has become a household name in Agege.
During his time in the House of Representatives, Adejare introduced an annual Ramadhan lecture which really endeared him to residents of the city.
Till today, Adejare lives among his people in Agege and his nickname, SABACO remains a household name in the city.
Jubreel Ayodeji Abdul Kareem: His mother was a popular market leader in Agege. Abdul Kareem indeed took his politics down to the grassroots.
He was a two-term Chairman of the Local Government and currently the member representing Agege State Constituency II in the House of Assembly.
He is an alumnus of the famous Arabic Training Institute (Markaz) located in the heart of Agege.
He lives right in the heart of the town in Sobowale area of Agege and his doors are always open to people who want to see and interact with him.
