Former Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, in this interview with select journalists, speaks on politics, governance, and other related issues.
About three months ago, you left office as Chairman of Agege Local Government after eight years. What would you say are your achievements?
You just put me on the spot. It’s not in my nature to beat my own drum — I allow my work and performance to speak for themselves. I can’t take all the credit because it was a team effort. However, we did our best and executed several legacy projects.
Among them is the Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, which the council built and equipped during my tenure. Recently, the government announced plans to phase out pen-and-paper exams for the Senior School Certificate Examinations and NECO by 2026 in favour of computer-based testing. If I’m not mistaken, this shift will eventually apply to all public examinations.
JAMB had long adopted this system, and we established the CBT centre to bring such facilities closer to candidates in our community. Another initiative that fills me with pride is the council’s free shuttle bus service.
We also constructed several roads, purchased ambulances, built and equipped health centres, and empowered many residents through job opportunities and vocational training.
Additionally, we established the Agege Crime Fighters, a security outfit owned by the council to complement state and federal security agencies in tackling crime and insecurity. My firm belief is that local governments in Lagos are having a greater impact than their counterparts in other states.
Can you shed more light on your assertion that Lagos councils are more impactful than those in other states?
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The scale of projects and programmes carried out by councils in Lagos is often beyond what their counterparts in other states can handle.
During my tenure, we built hospitals. My colleague, Pastor J.S. Babatunde of Orile-Agege LCDA, did the same. Some councils even constructed housing estates, such as the one built by Dele Oshinowo of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA.
In many other states, such projects are handled by state governments because local councils lack the resources. For instance, the level of infrastructure development in Epe, achieved by local councils, cannot be compared with that of neighbouring Ijebu in Ogun State. The same applies to councils in Lagos West compared to local governments in Ota, Ogun State.
What is your assessment of the administration that succeeded yours under the chairmanship of Alhaji Tunde Azeez, especially ahead of the traditional 100-day celebration?
As they say, the morning shows the day. I’m impressed by the performance of the Acting Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Vinod Obasa. He has shown strong leadership in the absence of Alhaji Tunde Azeez, who deserves commendation for transferring power to his deputy in line with the constitution while attending to health matters.
Vinod has demonstrated uncommon capacity in a short period, implementing impactful programmes in education, security, and environmental sanitation, among others. He has indeed become the darling of Agege residents, visitors, and business owners.
As an APC chieftain at the grassroots, how do you respond to allegations that the ruling party is stifling opposition?
Those allegations are baseless. It’s well known that the opposition’s problems are self-inflicted. Everyone witnessed how the PDP’s internal divisions during the 2023 general elections contributed to its loss. Today, the party is in disarray, with members defecting en masse to the APC due to President Bola Tinubu’s impressive strides in improving Nigeria’s fortunes.
For example, the student loan scheme has ended the era when students dropped out of school due to financial hardship. Is it the APC’s fault that Peter Obi, the so-called “social media president,” cannot manage the Labour Party, leading to its polarisation between Julius Abure and Nenadi Usman?
The same internal crisis plagues the ADC. Our party remains focused on governance and the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027. We don’t engage in distractions or attempt to create crises in opposition parties.
From eleven governors, the PDP is now down to eight after three joined the APC. Several opposition lawmakers have also defected, giving the APC a two-thirds majority in the Senate — enough to pass major legislation with ease.
Some incidents, such as the attack on the ADC secretariat in Ekiti and the disruption of the party’s meetings in Kaduna and Alimosho by hoodlums, are cited as evidence of APC’s clampdown on opposition. What is your reaction?
We must be cautious about the danger of a single story. The APC is not made up of busybodies; we are focused on governance and moving the country forward.
I’m aware that both the national and state leadership of the APC have disowned those incidents. Who is to say the ADC didn’t orchestrate them to smear the APC in the eyes of the public?
How is life after office, and what is next for you politically?
I’ve returned to my alma mater, Lagos State University, where I completed my first and master’s degrees, to pursue a PhD in Peace and Security Studies. I’m also attending to my business and spending more time with family and friends.
As the Otun of Egbaland — the second-in-command to the Alake of Egbaland — my role requires active involvement in Abeokuta’s traditional affairs, alongside political engagements.
As for my next political move, that decision rests entirely with our leader in Agege, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa.
