2027: Why APM’s Adeoye is the best candidate to lead Lagos — Aderinsola

The Youth Leader of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Lagos State, Ms Zainab Aderinsola, has described the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Laja Adeoye, as the frontline alternative to lead the state in 2027.

Aderinsola, in a statement on Monday, said Lagos needed an impactful leader , noting that in spite of its revenue growth, the state still grappled with failing roads, traffic congestion, unaffordable housing, unreliable power and flooding.

She said Adeoye’s private-sector experience and policy blueprint, tagged “Atunto Eko 1.0 – Re-engineering Lagos for Inclusive Prosperity”, positioned him to address the everyday needs of residents.

According to her, the blueprint covers affordable housing, healthcare, education, jobs, power, transport, flood control and security across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

Aderinsola said Adeoye, who holds a Diploma in Computer Science, a degree in Mathematics from UNILAG and a Master’s in Property Development, plans to create about 100,000 direct jobs within two years and 1.5 million jobs within four years, if elected.

She said the jobs would come through industrial clusters, technology hubs in Yaba and Ogba, agro-processing centres in Badagry and Epe, and skills academies across the three senatorial districts.

Aderinsola said under the Eko Skill Code initiative, youths would be trained in solar installation, plumbing, coding and creative industries to make them self-reliant and employable.

On power, she said Adeoye proposed generating at least 2,000 megawatts through Independent Power Projects (IPPs) across the five  divisions – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe – and establishing a state grid to distribute electricity to homes, markets and industries to reduce the cost of diesel.

On housing, she said he planned  partnerships with the private sector to deliver about 100,000 affordable homes in Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu with single-digit mortgages, targeted at teachers, civil servants, health workers, artisans and market men and women.

The youth leader said the housing plan would be linked to commercial facilities and markets to support livelihoods.

On healthcare, she said Adeoye pledged to build, rehabilitate and equip over 300 Primary Healthcare Centres within 18 months to bring quality care closer to the grassroots.

Aderinsola said other key planned  include flood control with proper drainage, cleaner waste management, expansion of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), integrated water transportation and deployment of digital traffic management to reduce travel time.

She said Adeoye also proposed governance reforms, including scrapping the Governsnce Advisory Council and replacing it with an inclusive advisory body.

The youth leader said the proposed body would comprise traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, women.

Aderinsola also said the candidate would concert  the 37 LCDAs into full Local Governments to bring government closer to the people.

The APM youth leader also said the candidate’s vision protects Yoruba cultural heritage while ensuring inclusiveness for all residents lawfully living and working in Lagos.

Aderinsola said Lagos does not need another slogan about world-class status, but practical solutions to shorter commutes, cheaper power, affordable housing and functional clinics.

She said expressed confidence that voters would elect as the next governor in 2027.