A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adelaja Adeoye, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Lagos, pledging to challenge the long-standing dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Adeoye, a real estate entrepreneur and political figure, made the announcement during an exclusive interview with BusinessDay Newspapers, where he unveiled plans aimed at delivering transparent governance, inclusive development and political renewal in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
According to him, Lagos has yet to fully realise its economic and social potential despite more than two decades of APC leadership since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He argued that the prolonged dominance of a single political bloc has limited innovation in governance and slowed the transformation of Lagos into a truly world-class city and a leading economic hub on the African continent.
Adeoye also criticised what he described as the overwhelming political influence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leading figure in the APC and current president of Nigeria, over the affairs of Lagos State, saying many residents have not fully benefited from the dividends of democracy.
“One of the key reasons I am stepping forward is to return power to the people so they can have a meaningful say in how the state is run,” he said.
The PDP aspirant promised to prioritise infrastructure development across Lagos while supporting the full domestication of local government autonomy, noting that local councils remain the closest tier of government to the people.
He also pledged to run a transparent administration that encourages public scrutiny, involves stakeholders in the preparation of budgets and focuses on critical sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, security and civil service reform.
Adeoye further highlighted the need to address growing social divisions within the state, warning that ethnic tensions among residents have been deepened by political actors over time.
To tackle this challenge, he said his proposed administration would introduce programmes designed to promote unity, equal opportunities and shared prosperity among both indigenous and non-indigenous residents of Lagos.
His declaration comes as opposition figures intensify efforts to challenge APC’s dominance in the South-West region ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adeoye also expressed confidence that the political tide could change, stating that incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu could become the last Lagos governor produced by the APC if the PDP succeeds in its push to reclaim the state.
