Five senior aides to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with one commissioner, are preparing to resign from their positions to contest in the 2027 general elections.
The officials, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are seeking party 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 who have already indicated interest is Kayode Roberts, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, who is seeking to represent Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Also in the race is Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser on Transportation, who is contesting for the Lagos Island II Federal Constituency seat.
Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the Special Adviser on Housing, has declared interest in representing Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Babajide Obanikoro, Special Adviser on Parastatals Monitoring, is seeking to represent Lagos Island I Federal Constituency, while Lekan Balogun, Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, is aiming for the Apapa Federal Constituency seat.
In addition, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, a Senior Special Assistant on Tourism, is contesting for the Surulere II seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Campaign activities have already begun in parts of their constituencies, with posters and other campaign materials displayed in public places.
There are also indications that more political appointees within and outside the state cabinet may soon declare their intention to contest for elective offices.
The planned resignations follow a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring political appointees who intend to contest in the 2027 elections to step down from their positions on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Electoral Act and creating a fair environment for all aspirants ahead of the elections.
