Lagos Mirror Magazine:
A Lagos Island resident, Sheriffdeen Ojon, popularly known as Omo Eko, has openly rebuked the renewed political ambition of former local government chairman, Tijani Olusi, describing his aspiration for the House of Representatives as an affront to the collective memory of Lagos Islanders.
According to Ojon, Tijani Olusi had the rare opportunity of serving two full terms, eight years, as a local government council chairman, a period he says was marked by weak presence, poor engagement with constituents, and an absence of tangible legacy projects. He argues that throughout that tenure, many residents struggled to point to any enduring achievements that directly improved their daily lives.
Ojon further alleges that Olusi’s rise and survival in office were largely influenced by his family’s long-standing political connections within Lagos politics, particularly the stature of his father. He claims that this influence discouraged scrutiny at the time and shielded the former chairman from accountability, despite widespread dissatisfaction among grassroots residents.
“What becomes difficult to understand,” Ojon notes, “is how someone who failed to inspire confidence at the local level now believes he can convincingly seek a federal mandate to represent the same people he previously neglected.” He questions how such a candidacy would resonate with voters who experienced what he describes as years of political distance and unfulfilled expectations.
The Lagos Island resident also expresses concern about what he calls a recurring culture of political recycling, where individuals with questioned records repeatedly seek higher offices without first addressing past performance. He insists that Lagos Island voters are politically conscious and discerning, and should not be taken for granted.
In his remarks, Ojon calls on party leaders and influential stakeholders to carefully distinguish between aspirants, warning against what he labels as internal party confusion and the imposition of candidates on the electorate. He specifically urges Senator Oluremi Tinubu to remain guided by her long-standing relationship with Lagos Islanders and to resist narratives that could misrepresent aspirants with controversial records.
Ojon concludes by emphasizing that leadership should be built on service, visibility, and verifiable impact—not on pedigree or inherited influence. As the 2027 political season gradually approaches, he maintains that Lagos Island residents will ultimately decide who represents them, based not on names or connections, but on credibility, past performance, and genuine commitment to public service.
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