By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Orile-Agege Descendants and Indigenous Awori People of Agege State Constituency II have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) for the emergence of Hon. Sakiru Sule Akindele Enimakure as the party’s candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly election in 2027, pledging to deliver massive votes for the party in the general election.
The group made its position known during a press conference held in Lagos, where it also threw its weight behind the candidature of Hon. Gbenga Michael Abiola for Agege State Constituency I, describing both candidates as true representatives of the aspirations of the grassroots and indigenous communities in Agege.
Speaking on behalf of the indigenous Awori people and descendants of Orile-Agege, the group’s Secretary General, Chief Akinola Adebowale at a well attended press conference in Orile Agege on Monday, 8 June, 2026, said the emergence of Enimakure was not merely about the selection of a candidate but a recognition of a community that has remained loyal to progressive politics for over six decades.
According to the group, the decision represents justice, fairness, inclusion and acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by the Awori people from the days of the Action Group (AG), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now the APC.
The group recalled that Orile-Agege has played a significant role in the growth and success of progressive politics in Lagos State and Nigeria, long before the formation of the APC.
It noted that the community provided part of the political foundation that supported President Tinubu’s early political journey, particularly during his successful bid for the Lagos West Senatorial seat on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Indeed, Orile-Agege provided part of the political foundation and grassroots support structure that helped shape the political journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The people of Orile-Agege stood solidly behind him and gave him their total support,” the group stated.
The leaders further recalled the contributions of the late Olu of Agege, Oba Lateef Adams; the late Balogun of Orile-Agege, Chief Nojeem Akinola of the Olarokun Family; and other notable community leaders who mobilised support for Tinubu when he was contesting for the Lagos West Senatorial District seat during the defunct Third Republic in the early 90s while he resided at 13 Tomoloju Street, Ward B2, Orile-Agege.
According to them, since that period, the indigenous Awori people have remained faithful to the progressive family and consistently delivered votes for every progressive platform despite what they described as years of political neglect and underrepresentation.
The group also paid tribute to the late Chief Sule Adisa Enimakure, father of Hon. Sakiru Sule Akindele Enimakure, describing him as one of the pillars of progressive politics in Agege.
It noted that the elder Enimakure served as Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Agege Local Government and later as Vice Chairman of both the Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) until his death in 2014.
The group stressed that despite several political disappointments, the Awori people of Orile Agege, Agege and Ogba had remained loyal to the APC and never engaged in anti-party activities.
It cited the recent local government elections, where no indigene of Orile-Agege, Ogba or Agege emerged as chairman, vice chairman or councillor across the local government and local council development area.
“Despite this reality, we remained loyal to the APC. We did not protest. We did not revolt. We did not abandon our party. We accepted the party’s decision in good faith and worked tirelessly to ensure overwhelming victories for all APC candidates,” the group said.
It added that community members mobilised extensively and delivered massive votes because their commitment had always been to the success of the party and the progressive family.
Describing Enimakure as the only recognised indigene among the successful APC candidates so far presented in Agege for the 2027 elections, the group said his emergence symbolises hope for indigenous communities across Orile-Agege, Ogba and Agege.
“For decades, our people have remained steadfast in their loyalty to the APC and its leadership. We have supported every candidate presented by the party. We have consistently delivered votes and protected the progressive structure,” they stated.
The group therefore appealed to the APC leadership at all levels to uphold Enimakure’s candidacy, arguing that doing so would further strengthen grassroots confidence in the party and demonstrate that loyalty and patience are rewarded.
According to the group, the emergence of Enimakure and Gbenga Michael Abiola has rekindled hope among party faithful, youths, women and community stakeholders, while also boosting enthusiasm ahead of the 2027 general election.
It subsequently assured President Tinubu, the APC National Leadership, Governor of Lagos State, the GAC and party leaders across the state of their readiness to mobilise massive support for APC candidates at all levels.
“As a demonstration of our gratitude and commitment, we confidently pledge massive votes in hundreds of thousands for APC candidates across the Agege Federal and State Constituencies in the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” the group declared.
The group urged party members to remain united and focused on ensuring the continued success of the APC, stressing that unity remains essential to the development of Agege, Lagos State and Nigeria.
They also thanked the APC leadership for what they described as listening to the voice of the grassroots by presenting candidates who genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people and the inclusive ideals of the party.
