Lagos is not just where I live—it is the place that shaped me. Though my roots trace back to Anambra in the Southeast, I was born and raised in Lagos, the only home I have ever truly known. And like many others who share similar stories, I believe I have every right to be concerned with the political future and leadership of this dynamic city.
My family’s story is deeply woven into the Lagos fabric. My father and his three siblings grew up here. It’s where he met and married my mother, and together they raised five children—myself, the second. We are not strangers in this state. My parents and siblings speak Yoruba fluently, complete with proverbs and cultural nuance. Two of my sisters are married into Yoruba families—one to an engineer from Oye-Ekiti, the other to a lawyer from Ijebu-Igbo. I grew up in various Lagos neighborhoods, adopted its slang, lived its culture, and found my voice in its rhythm.
In many ways, I reflect the spirit of Lagos: diverse, grounded, and forward-looking. Just like the 1990s Fuji icon Sunny T Adesokan—our Igbo kinsman known as “Okoro to n ko Fuji”—I proudly identify as Omo Eko.
Now to the matter at hand.
In less than two years, the current Lagos administration will conclude its tenure, and attention is already shifting to the 2027 governorship race. Among the leading names emerging in discussions both online and offline is Femi Gbajabiamila, the current Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. His growing appeal is no surprise. For over 20 years, Gbajabiamila has been a consistent presence in Nigerian politics, demonstrating competence, charisma, and vision.
Since his first election in 2003 to represent Surulere I Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, up to his 2023 transition to the presidency’s inner circle, Gbajabiamila has proven to be a committed public servant. As an opposition leader, he was a bold, strategic voice who offered credible policy alternatives during the PDP era. As Majority Leader and later Speaker, he brought people together across party lines, championing laws that addressed real issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
One of his most impactful contributions is the revitalized student loan scheme, from which over 500,000 students have benefited. The Access to Higher Education Act, which established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, is his initiative—aimed at closing economic and gender gaps in tertiary education. This underscores his belief in the power of education and youth empowerment.
He also advocated for prepaid electricity meters when many Nigerians were suffering under the unfair estimated billing system. Going up against powerful, elite-backed electricity companies took courage and principle—qualities he has consistently displayed. Similarly, during the COVID-19 crisis, Gbajabiamila led the charge for the Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill, designed to soften the blow of the pandemic on Nigerians’ livelihoods.
His influence extends well beyond legislative chambers. Through far-reaching constituency empowerment programs, Gbajabiamila has transformed lives. From distributing cars, laptops, and work tools to artisans and traders, to awarding education grants and initiating vital infrastructure—his work has directly improved everyday lives. Projects like the Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence at UNILAG and the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital in Surulere stand as living proofs of his investment in people.
Lagos needs a leader who understands its pulse, respects its diversity, and can translate vision into action. Gbajabiamila fits that description. His pan-Nigerian mindset makes him uniquely suited to govern a city of many cultures and voices. His solid educational background—including degrees from the University of Lagos, John Marshall Law School, and leadership programs at Cambridge, Stanford, Oxford, and Harvard—equips him with both legal expertise and global insight.
With him at the helm, Lagos can become a smarter, safer, and more inclusive city. His legal and legislative knowledge will help drive policy with precision, while his commitment to education, infrastructure, and healthcare will uplift every corner of the state. His global exposure positions him to attract investment and forge partnerships that will propel Lagos to new heights.
This message is both a public reflection and a direct appeal to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC): Lagos stands to gain immensely by backing a man whose career has consistently shown what responsive, people-focused leadership looks like.
To my fellow Igbo and southeasterners living in Lagos: let us not be silent spectators. Our presence, contributions, and voices are integral to the life of this city. Supporting Gbajabiamila in 2027 is not only wise—it is necessary. It signals our commitment to unity, progress, and collective prosperity. Lagos welcomed us. Let’s help lead it into a brighter future.
This isn’t just an endorsement—it’s a heartfelt call to come together, across backgrounds and boundaries, behind a leader who sees Lagos for what it truly is: a place for everyone.
– Albert Nwoye, a lawyer, writes from Lagos.
