Lagos 2025: Letting the youth breathe, a philosophy of President Tinubu speaking volumes in Somolu

In Somolu, Lagos, the APC has embraced President Tinubu’s call to “let the youth breathe” by fielding youthful, credible leaders Ashimi and Ojomu in its 2025 chairmanship ticket; marking a shift away from political monopolies.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n Somolu, Lagos, the message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urging Nigeria to “let the youth breathe” is echoing louder than ever. What began as a national philosophy is now shaping local political outcomes.

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With the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship primaries, the people; especially the youth, have taken a stand for generational change, transparency, and inclusion.

Since 2017, the administration of Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu ‘Dullar’ has brought modernization and responsive governance to Somolu. More importantly, it opened space for younger leaders with competence and street credibility.

This laid the groundwork for the emergence of 46-year-old Hon. Lateef Ashimi and 40-year-old Hon. Taiwo Ojomu as Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates of the APC.

Both men are known for their community engagement, political loyalty, and educational background—graduates of Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos respectively.

The APC primary was conducted via indirect voting by 27 constitutionally recognized party delegates.

Ashimi won decisively with 23 votes, while Hon. Bowale Sosimi; despite holding a top state appointment, garnered just four borrowed votes, exposing his disconnect from the local structure. Allegations of injustice and irregularities have since surfaced, but they appear to be driven more by political frustration than factual evidence.

The primary election process was credible, overseen by a respected committee chaired by Barr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

From all available accounts, the process was orderly, transparent, and in accordance with party guidelines. The result represents not exclusion but a shift in power from political monopolies to the people—especially the youth.

However, forces resisting this change remain active. A central figure in this resistance is Hon. Ademorin Kuye, the current Member of the House of Representatives representing Somolu Federal Constituency.

For years, Kuye has operated as a political godfather in Somolu and parts of Bariga, accused of manipulating party structures and imposing candidates.

In 2017, despite Hon. Ashimi winning the APC councillorship primary, he was denied the ticket reportedly on Kuye’s instruction—an action many still view as politically unjust and emblematic of Kuye’s grip on the system.

Kuye’s political strategy appears focused not on empowering new leaders but on preserving influence to secure a third term in the National Assembly.

To this end, he has been accused of creating deep divisions within the Muslim community in Somolu, allegedly leveraging his personal ties; being the son-in-law of the Oba of Somolu, to infiltrate religious structures. When the newly installed Grand Chief Imam of Somolu, Sheikh Boonyamin Dabiri, called for fairness in the political distribution of offices across faiths, loyalists of Kuye reportedly launched an aggressive backlash and physical attack against the respected cleric resulting to a scanty Jum’ah Service last Friday in Somolu Central Mosque.

Celebration has erupted across Somolu. From Bajulaiye to Akoka, Okesuna to Onipanu, youths are applauding the APC leadership in Lagos and at the national level. Community stakeholders, including NURTW leaders, market associations, Christian and Muslim clerics, ward youth leaders, and ethnic groups, have visited the local secretariat to congratulate the candidates and pledge their full support.

Meanwhile, a disruptive protest attempt allegedly organized by aggrieved politicians failed.

Hired thugs from Yaba, Mushin, Bariga, and Abule Ijesha were repelled by security agencies before they could carry out an attack on the newly built Somolu LG Secretariat.

Their mission collapsed in confusion as their sponsors, Hon. Bowale Sosimi and Hon. Rotimi Olowo, reportedly disagreed over who should be the rallying point.

Despite external noise, the people of Somolu are united behind Ashimi and Ojomu.

Also read: ‘Heavy shooting…’ Hoodlums allegedly loyal to fed. lawmaker, Kuye, distrupt APC primaries in Somolu

The ticket reflects not just youth representation but also religious balance—Ashimi a Muslim, Ojomu a Christian, and an equal Muslim-Christian distribution of councillorship slots. What’s unfolding in Somolu is not injustice, but a democratic transition aligned with President Tinubu’s vision—letting the youth not only breathe but lead.

See photos of some of the infrastructural advancement in Somolu championed by Dullar below.