Alimosho political battle 2027 intensifies as APC leaders and Aregbesola’s ADC struggle for control ahead of Lagos elections in Nigeria’s most populous LGA
Alimosho political battle 2027 is shaping up to be one of Lagos State’s most defining power struggles, as key political heavyweights—including Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, former Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola—jostle for control of Nigeria’s most populous local government area ahead of the next general elections.
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Alimosho, long considered the electoral powerhouse of Lagos and dubbed “Tinubu’s Country”, has historically played a decisive role in the state’s electoral outcomes, most notably in 2003 when Bola Tinubu secured re-election with strong backing from the area.
Then, Aregbesola was the commander of the campaign’s ground operations in the LGA.
But with the 2027 elections drawing near, Aregbesola’s exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dramatically reshaped the political dynamics in the area.
In a bid to clip Aregbesola’s wings, the APC has replaced his longtime ally, Abdullahi Enilolobo, with Princess Orelope-Adefulire as the party’s apex leader in Alimosho.
Orelope-Adefulire, a respected member of Lagos’ powerful Governance Advisory Council, has been holding mobilisation meetings to counter the ADC’s growing appeal and ensure President Tinubu’s re-election.
Also eyeing dominance is Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, whose influence in Alimosho and the wider Lagos West is growing.
Speculation about his possible gubernatorial ambitions is rife, though he recently deferred to the APC leadership, saying party decisions will shape his political direction.
Aregbesola, once Tinubu’s close confidant and political protégé, has become a formidable opposition figure.
At a recent ADC membership rally in Kosofe, he called for the ousting of APC, PDP, and LP in 2027, accusing them of collectively failing Nigeria.
“The task of rescuing Nigeria has begun… and that time is now,” said Tunji Malomo, an ADC chieftain, defending Aregbesola against betrayal claims. “Loyalty is not a one-way street.”
His move to consolidate power through the ADC has faced backlash.
The Lagos Assembly previously suspended Jelili Sulaimon, the Alimosho council chairman and Aregbesola loyalist, over alleged misconduct—interpreted by many as part of the wider purge.
Tensions escalated when a peaceful ADC rally in Alimosho was violently disrupted by suspected political thugs.
The event, which welcomed 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Lagos governorship hopeful Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to the ADC, aimed to rally voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
Witnesses say participants were chased out and injured while police appeared overwhelmed.
The ADC blamed APC supporters for the violence, accusing the ruling party of “acting like a terrorist organisation.”
In response, APC Lagos Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo dismissed the allegations, accusing the opposition of internal disunity and playing the victim.
“The opposition poses no real threat to us.
They’re simply laying the groundwork for their defeat in 2027,” Oladejo said. “APC remains committed to maintaining peace across the state.”
He urged security agencies to prevent the state from being thrown into chaos by what he described as “political jobbers.”
At the heart of the Alimosho political battle 2027 is not just control of a strategic LGA, but a broader fight to shape the future of Lagos politics post-Tinubu.
With ADC building momentum and internal realignments within APC underway, the race for Alimosho has become a microcosm of the larger ideological and generational shifts sweeping through Nigerian politics.
Whether the ruling party can retain its dominance or a resurgent Aregbesola-led ADC can carve a meaningful challenge remains to be seen.
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But one thing is clear—the road to Lagos 2027 runs through Alimosho.
