The attention of TRN (The Renew Hope Network), APC Agege Chapter, has been drawn to recent comments credited to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, in which he allegedly claimed personal responsibility for the political rise and relevance of several individuals within Agege Local Government and beyond.
As a progressive political movement committed to truth, unity, democratic inclusion, and the ideals of the All Progressives Congress, we consider it necessary to address such claims in the interest of fairness, political decency, and historical accuracy.
While we acknowledge the role every political leader plays in the growth and development of party structures, it is both misleading and politically insensitive for any individual to arrogate to himself the exclusive responsibility for the emergence and success of others in a democratic setting. Politics, particularly within the APC family in Agege, has always been a collective effort driven by the sacrifices, loyalty, and commitment of numerous party faithful, community leaders, youth groups, women organizations, elders, and progressive stakeholders who have labored tirelessly over the years to sustain the party’s dominance in the local government.
No single individual can validly claim ownership of the political destiny of the people of Agege.
The history of Agege politics predates the emergence of many present-day actors and was built on the collective contributions of respected leaders, grassroots mobilizers, loyal party members, and progressive families who devoted their resources and time to strengthening the progressive movement. Attempts to rewrite this history for personal glorification amount to a disservice to the sacrifices of many committed stakeholders who helped build the political structure from the ground up.
TRN strongly believes that leadership must be rooted in humility, inclusiveness, and respect for others. Unfortunately, the political atmosphere in Agege in recent years has reflected growing dissatisfaction among party members, youths, and several stakeholders due to what many perceive as excessive control, exclusionary politics, and the pursuit of personal political interests over collective progress.
It is no longer news that the political environment in Agege has witnessed avoidable tensions and internal divisions that have weakened party cohesion at the grassroots level. Many loyal members of the APC who once worked passionately for the growth of the party now feel alienated, marginalized, and discouraged due to the concentration of influence within a narrow political circle. Rather than promoting broad participation and political harmony, the current climate has unfortunately encouraged rivalry, distrust, and unnecessary friction among party faithful.
As a group committed to the Renewed Hope agenda of progressive governance and political inclusion, TRN cannot remain silent while narratives capable of deepening division within our party are being promoted publicly.
We respectfully submit that true leadership is not measured by how many people one claims to have “made,” but by how many people one has inspired, empowered, united, and allowed to grow independently. Great leaders build institutions and encourage collective ownership, not political dependency or personality cults.
Furthermore, we urge political actors within Agege to refrain from statements capable of diminishing the contributions of others or portraying the local government as the personal political estate of any one individual.
The APC in Agege belongs to all members, not to a select few. The successes recorded by the party over the years were achieved through the shared sacrifices of numerous committed stakeholders across different wards and communities.
TRN remains firmly committed to the unity, growth, and electoral success of the APC in Agege Local Government.
However, unity can only thrive where there is fairness, mutual respect, open participation, and genuine reconciliation among members. Political intimidation, excessive self-glorification, and divisive rhetoric have no place in a modern democratic party that seeks to retain the confidence of the people.
We therefore call on all party leaders, elders, and stakeholders to place the overall interest of the party and the welfare of the people above personal ambition and political supremacy contests.
This is a critical period that demands maturity, restraint, and strategic collaboration among progressive forces, especially as Nigerians continue to look up to the APC for purposeful leadership and development.
TRN also wishes to reassure members of the APC in Agege that the strength of our party lies in its people — the loyal grassroots members, market men and women, professionals, artisans, youths, religious groups, and community stakeholders who continue to stand by the progressive family despite prevailing challenges. Their sacrifices and commitment cannot and should not be reduced to the political benevolence of any individual office holder.
We remain optimistic that with sincere dialogue, inclusiveness, and renewed commitment to democratic values, Agege can once again become a model of political harmony and progressive development within Lagos State.
In conclusion, TRN reiterates that no single politician can claim sole ownership of the political growth of Agege or the destinies of its people. Leadership should unite, not divide; empower, not suppress; and inspire hope, not resentment. The people of Agege deserve a political environment built on respect, fairness, and collective advancement.
