A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Adelaja Adeoye, has announced his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State on the party’s platform.
Adeoye, a real estate entrepreneur and political figure in Lagos, made the declaration during an exclusive interview with BusinessDay Newspapers, where he outlined his vision for transparent governance, inclusive development and political renewal in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
According to him, Lagos has yet to reach its full potential under the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which has governed the state since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He argued that the prolonged dominance of a single political bloc has limited innovation in governance and slowed the transformation of Lagos into a truly world-class city and a leading economic hub in Africa.
Adeoye also criticised what he described as the overwhelming political influence of APC leader and President Bola Tinubu in the affairs of the state, saying ordinary Lagos residents have not fully enjoyed the dividends of democracy.
“One of the key reasons I am stepping forward is to return power to the people so they can have a meaningful say in how the state is run,” he said.
The PDP aspirant pledged to prioritise infrastructural development across the state and support the full domestication of local government autonomy, noting that local councils remain the closest tier of government to the people.
He also promised to run a transparent administration that encourages public scrutiny, involves stakeholders in the preparation of budgets and focuses on key sectors including healthcare, education, infrastructure, civil service reform, security, transportation and the protection of human rights.
Adeoye further addressed concerns over growing divisions among Lagos residents, noting that ethnic tensions have been deepened by political actors over the years, making coexistence between indigenes and other residents more difficult.
To address this challenge, he said his administration would promote programmes that foster unity, equal opportunities and shared prosperity among all residents of Lagos.
His declaration comes as opposition figures intensify efforts to challenge the APC’s dominance in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections. Adeoye also vowed that the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would be the last Lagos governor produced by the APC if the PDP succeeds in its political push.
