Lagos LG Poll: Jandor Calls For Citizens Involvement In Governance ...As He Casts His Votes In Irewe Area Of Ojo Local Government

The Lead Visioner of Lagos4Lagos Movement, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran aka Jandor has commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the peaceful conduct of the local government election on Saturday July 12, 2025.

 

Turning out early in the morning at his polling unit 01, Ward D in Irewe kingdom, Ojo Local Government area, JANDOR joined millions of Lagosians participating in the democratic process across the 13,325 polling units in 377 wards for the ongoing elections organized by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) .

 

Speaking with journalists after casting his votes, Jandor said that the process was very peaceful, saying that the last time he was in the town, there was tension because he was in the opposition party, and that it was a thug of war because his aunt who was the former Deputy Governor of the state, Princess Adebisi Sarah-Sosan was in the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC). 

 

Reflecting on the exercise, he emphasized the critical importance of grassroots representation in the delivery of good governance to the citizens. 

 

“Today, I cast my vote not just for the candidates, but for the future of our communities. Local government is the closest government to the people, delivering essential services that impact everyday life.

 

"The local government is closer to the people. Their chairman is living here, he is one of them. You can see the turn out in the polling units. My expectation is that the APC would win at the end of the day.

 

"As you can see, the current government has given financial autonomy to the local governments and President Bola Tinubu even pursued it to the Supreme Court level. He has played his part and it is for us to ensure that we make it work. He has ensured that we have financial autonomy across the 774 local governments and I know that very soon it will get better.

 

"The grassroots election is the foundation, you may wonder why the opposing parties have not been able to win local governments elections in the state, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it's because they don't have good foundations. When we joined the party, we came with new energy and vigour to ensure that we shift the thing to ensure that the foundation is solid. But it didn't work despite the efforts that we made. In every election, we need the people of the grassroots to work for it to be meaningful," he said.

 

Jandor then advised the incoming local chairmen or councillors not to see the offices as opportunities for them to make money. 

 

He stated that they have now become the Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), adding that they must watch whatever they do. 

 

He said; "People would look at you, when you buy new shoes or car, there is life after the office. I would expect that they serve the people and the state. For those who have been chosen by my party, I know that they are going to do well and they would continue to achieve excellence that we have in Lagos State.'

 

Dr. Adediran who had set up a self-funded Independent Campaign Group in support of all the APC candidates in the election across the 377 wards and 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state, encouraged all Lagosians to troop out enmasse and vote the APC candidates. 

 

He maintained that voting in local elections helps in holding the grassroots leaders accountable and give voice to the communities. 

 

“This is a call to Lagosians, who are voting whether for the first time or as seasoned voters that your Permanent Voter's Card is your tool of influence. Use it today to shape the future of your ward, Local Government Area and our beloved state," he said.

 

Also voting in the same polling unit with JANDOR were the former Deputy Governor of the State, H.E. Princess Sarah Sosan, a former Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government area of the state, and Hon. Yinka Durosimi among other prominent APC leaders and former Chairman of Ojo Local Government.

 

Princess Sarah Adebisi-Sosan said in an interview that the election was well arranged and that the people were well informed, saying that  the turn out was very encouraging unlike in the past when there was aparthy. 

 

 "You can see the efforts that have been put into it, the enlightenment has been working. It is a grassroots thing and it's their government and we had to come and vote for our candidates.

 

"Thank God that local government autonomy is there, we have three tiers of government and each of them has to play their roles. But even with the autonomy, the government has to be inclusive, it's the government at the grassroots and the most powerful tier. 

 

"They should inform the people of their programmes, carry them along. The autonomy does not mean they should do things on their own.

 

"The incoming chairmen should know that they are representing the people, they should listen to them. They should do what the people want," she said.

 

In his comments, Hon Yinka Durosinmi  gave glory to God that the outgoing Chairman of Ojo Local Government did his best and that he had done much for the area. 

 

Durosinmi stated that the grassroots government is doing well now as the administration of President Bola Tinubu has renergised them as they now have enough resources unlike during his time, when they used to collect between N30m and N40m per month. 

 

"Now, they earn as much as N400m per month. That is the benefit of the removal of subsidy. They can use the money for infrastructure, healthcare and rural development. 

 

"I had my own manifestos as Chairman then, we were able to generate much ideas based on what the people want. 

 

"The Chairmen should continue to do their best for the people and take it cool with the people. They should spread development," he said.

 

Speaking with journalists, the Osolu of Irewe Kingdom, Ojo Local Government, HRM Oba Abedeen Adekanbi Durosinmi, Agunbioyinbo 11, thanked God for the election.

 

Oba Durosinmi recalled that in the last election they had the opposition PDP, but he said that he was happy to see his children in the kingdom coming together in the progressives, which he said his fathers laid down.

 

On what the local government should do for the community, he said; "the local government is trying, but we want Ojo Local Government to come to our aid as we are a riverine area. 

 

"We lack so many things, without the state government coming in the local government cannot do it alone. We need a community town hall, staff for our healthcare centre and we need accommodation for the nurses and doctors so that they can have a place to stay as we go to the town through water."

 

Shortly after casting his vote in his hometown of Irewe in Ojo Local Government Area, JANDOR visited the palace of the Osolu of Irewe Kingdom, HRM Oba Abedeen Adekanbi Durosinmi to pay homage and receive royal blessings. The visit is a continuation of his deep respect for traditional institutions and acknowledgment of their vital role in the social and cultural fabric of society.

 

Speaking during the visit, JANDOR expressed gratitude to the monarch for his unwavering support and consistent advocacy for peaceful civic participation. 

 

In his remarks, Oba Abideen Durosimi commended JANDOR for his humility and commitment to the welfare of the people, while encouraging continued engagement with grassroots governance and development.

 

JANDOR also reiterated the importance of the local government elections and urged citizens to actively participate in shaping the leadership of their communities through peaceful and orderly voting.

 

The visit was marked by warm traditional reception and mutual reaffirmation of shared commitment to the prosperity of Irewe Kingdom and the wider Lagos community.