Political Shake-Up: Commissioner And Six Senior Aides To Resign From Sanwo-Olu’s Cabinet

Five senior aides to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with one commissioner, are preparing to resign their positions to contest in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

All members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the officials are seeking tickets to run for seats in the House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly. Party primaries for the elections are scheduled to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Among those publicly declaring their intentions is Kayode Roberts, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, who is contesting the Ojo Federal Constituency seat. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser on Transportation, is aiming for Lagos Island II Federal Constituency.

Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing, is seeking election to the Surulere I State Assembly, while Babajide Obanikoro, Special Adviser on Parastatals Monitoring, is contesting Lagos Island I Federal Constituency. Lekan Balogun, Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, has his sights set on the Apapa Federal Constituency. Additionally, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, Senior Special Assistant on Tourism, is entering the race for Surulere II in the State Assembly.

Campaign activities are already underway in several constituencies, with posters and promotional materials appearing in public spaces. Reports also suggest that more political appointees, both inside and outside the cabinet, may soon declare their interest in elective positions.

The planned resignations follow a directive from President Bola Tinubu, requiring political appointees who intend to run in the 2027 elections to step down by March 31, 2026, in order to comply with the Electoral Act and ensure a level playing field ahead of the polls.