Group tasks APC to field credible candidate for Kosofe House of Reps seat
A coalition of civil society organisations in Kosofe Federal Constituency has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to present a credible candidate for the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group made the appeal today, Tuesday, 21st April, during a press conference in Ketu, Lagos, addressed by its co-conveners, Comrade Alex Omotehinse and Comrade Waheed Odunuga.
Other activists present included were: Comrades Kehinde Jones (Care and Justice for women and children organization), Bola Komolafe (Women for change initiative), Olukayode Omolola, (CHSR), Babalola Kabir and Amos Ojajimi(CHSR) among others.
Speaking, Omotehinse said the engagement formed part of the coalition’s mandate to promote accountability, participatory democracy, and evidence-based civic engagement in the constituency.
According to him, the intervention was aimed at elevating public discourse and ensuring that leadership selection is driven by verifiable performance, proven competence, and commitment to public service.
“This engagement represents a deliberate effort by organised civil society to move beyond rhetoric and ensure that leadership choices are anchored on measurable impact and the public good,” he said.
Omotehinse disclosed that the coalition conducted a comprehensive review of governance outcomes in the constituency, with particular focus on developments in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) between 2017 and 2025 under the immediate past Executive Chairman, Mayor Dele Oshinowo.
He noted that the assessment was complemented by a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 15, 2026, where aspirants seeking to represent the constituency were deliberated upon.
“Our position is based on empirical evaluation, stakeholder inputs, and verifiable governance records,” he said.
Highlighting key achievements recorded during Oshinowo’s tenure, the coalition cited infrastructural expansion through the construction of administrative complexes, legislative buildings, and modern markets, which it said improved institutional efficiency, generated employment, and boosted internally generated revenue.
The group also pointed to investments in water and sanitation projects, including multi-community industrial boreholes, road construction to enhance mobility and commerce, and interventions in the education sector through school construction, rehabilitation, and student support programmes.
Other areas of impact identified include improvements in primary healthcare through facility upgrades and outreach initiatives, as well as youth empowerment and economic inclusion programmes focused on skills acquisition and enterprise development.
The coalition concluded that Oshinowo demonstrated a consistent record of service marked by innovation, accountability, and delivery.
“An objective comparative analysis places him in a leading position among aspirants across political divides.
His track record provides a credible governance framework that can be translated into effective legislative representation at the federal level,”
Omotehinse said.
The group urged constituents to prioritise competence, integrity, and proven performance in the electoral process, stressing the need for informed civic participation.
“We encourage residents and stakeholders in Kosofe Federal Constituency to support leadership that reflects tested capacity and a clear commitment to inclusive development,” he added.
Omotehinse maintained that the coalition’s position was guided by the principles of transparency, justice, and accountable governance, noting that it unanimously considers Oshinowo best suited among the aspirants for the seat.
He added that beyond infrastructure, Oshinowo’s tenure was also marked by the development of housing estates, dispute resolution efforts within communities, construction of sporting facilities, and the modernisation of markets.
While acknowledging that consensus arrangements remain an internal party affair, he expressed confidence that Oshinowo would emerge if a primary election is conducted.
On concerns surrounding the Owode Onirin demolition, Omotehinse clarified that although the incident occurred during Oshinowo’s tenure, findings indicated it was executed by a private individual acting on a court judgment over a portion of the land.
He noted that the demolition, which affected sections of the spare parts market, is currently subject to litigation, adding that Oshinowo was no longer in office when the situation escalated in August 2025.
The coalition reiterated its call on the APC to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate for the Kosofe Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.
