ALIMOSHO, LAGOS – What seemed politically impossible just weeks ago unfolded at the Lagos State Governor’s Residence on Sunday, August 2, 2026, as Alimosho’s leading political figures publicly embraced a common position on the future of the Alimosho Federal Constituency.
In a carefully coordinated reconciliation meeting chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, the lingering tensions surrounding the party’s House of Representatives ticket appeared to give way to a display of unity.
The symbolic moment came when former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and another Alimosho political leader, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, publicly accepted the emergence of Hon. Princess Olabisi Adebajo, popularly known as ABISCO, as the APC candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
For observers of Alimosho politics, it represented far more than a routine endorsement. It was the culmination of months of political realignment involving competing interests, shifting alliances and renewed negotiations among the area’s dominant power blocs.
The journey to ABISCO’s candidacy began with one of the biggest surprises in Lagos APC politics. The incumbent lawmaker representing Alimosho Federal Constituency, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, failed to secure the party’s return ticket despite serving as the sitting member of the House of Representatives.
Instead, the APC nominated Princess Olabisi Adebajo, a former Chairman of Mosan-Okunola LCDA and a long-standing political associate of Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo. Though, Ayuba’s supporters till contest the party’s position.
The decision immediately attracted attention because Ayuba himself had once belonged to Enilolobo’s political tendency before crossing over to align with the Bisi Yusuff bloc after changes in the internal structure of the Lagos APC weakened Enilolobo’s influence.
Many believed Ayuba’s new alliance would strengthen his chances of securing another term, but, events proved otherwise.
To understand the significance of ABISCO’s emergence, one must understand the political journey of Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo.
For years, Enilolobo remained one of the strongest grassroots mobilisers in Alimosho and one of the closest political associates of former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola himself occupied a strategic place within the Tinubu political family for decades, serving as Commissioner for Works under then Governor Bola Tinubu before becoming Governor of Osun State and later Minister of Interior.
However, the political relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Aregbesola eventually deteriorated. The fallout reverberated across Lagos politics. Several politicians perceived to be loyal to Aregbesola, including Enilolobo, got badly bruised politically, and experienced a noticeable reduction in political influence.
That decline became particularly evident during the last Lagos local government elections in Lagos State.
Candidates reportedly associated with Enilolobo struggled to secure party tickets, while other influential blocs led by Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Hon. Bisi Yusuff and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emerged with stronger representation in the councils. His nominees for political appointments across the councils got what many termed ‘crumbs’.
Many political observers interpreted the outcome as evidence that Enilolobo’s dominance in Alimosho had diminished.
Yet politics often rewards patience.
Recent developments suggest Enilolobo has gradually rebuilt his relationship with the APC leadership and regained the confidence of influential decision-makers within the party.
That renewed acceptance appeared to play a crucial role in the selection of ABISCO.
For critical observers of the development, the APC cannot afford to lose someone of Enilolobo’s pedigree at this crucial point in time, given his firm grip on the Alimosho political grassroots. And whatever could be a clog in the wheel of the party’s progress going into the 2027 elections will have to be addressed, hence, the reconciliation with Enilolobo.
Rather than supporting the incumbent lawmaker who had left his political fold, Enilolobo threw his weight behind Princess Olabisi Adebajo, bringing her back from political oblivion to the limelight of Alimosho politics once again.
Her candidacy also received the blessing of President Bola Tinubu. This was evident when she was received along other house of Reps candidates by the president during his last visit to the state.
If elected in 2027, ABISCO would become the only female member to ever represent Alimosho Federal Constituency, adding another layer of significance to her emergence.
Sunday’s reconciliation meeting, therefore, carried implications beyond personalities.
In attendance were Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, APC State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Pa Tajudeen Olusi, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo and all chairmen of the Alimosho Local Governments and LCDAs.
At the meeting, both Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Hon. Bisi Yusuff blessed ABISCO wished her success. Their actions effectively brought together political tendencies that had competed vigorously in recent years.
For many party members, the public endorsement signalled that internal disagreements would no longer overshadow preparations for the 2027 general election.
Reflecting on the endorsement, ABISCO said:
“I am deeply grateful to Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Hon. Bisi Yusuff for their prayers, their blessing and their trust. Alimosho is bigger than any one of us, and today reminded me why unity matters more than anything else. I do not take this lightly, and I will continue to work to deserve it through Talk and Do, every single day.”
Whether the reconciliation marks a lasting political settlement or simply a strategic truce ahead of the 2027 elections remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the contest for Alimosho Federal Constituency has entered a new phase.
For now, at least, Alimosho’s leading voices appear determined to speak as one.
But, will this ‘unity’ last? Only time, will tell!
