Six Sanwo-Olu aides, commissioners set to resign for 2027 elections

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, six Lagos State government commissioners, special advisers, and senior aides to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have announced plans to resign to pursue political positions.

The officials, all aspiring under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, intend to contest for seats in the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly in their respective constituencies during primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Those who have publicly declared their ambitions include:

Mr. Kayode Roberts, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development – contesting Ojo Federal Constituency

Sola Giwa, Special Adviser on Transportation – Lagos Island II Federal Constituency

Barr. (Mrs) Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing – Surulere I House of Assembly

Babajide Obanikoro, Special Adviser on Parastatals Monitoring – Lagos Island I Federal Constituency

Mr. Lekan Balogun, Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget – Apapa Federal Constituency

Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, Senior Special Assistant on Tourism – Surulere II House of Assembly

A source confirmed that posters promoting their candidacies have already been displayed across strategic locations in their constituencies. Other cabinet and non-cabinet members are expected to declare their intentions in the coming days.

The aspirants have strong political pedigrees. Roberts, popularly known as “Bibire,” is a former Oto-Awori LCDA chairman. Giwa is a former Lagos State House of Assembly member and pioneer manager of LASTMA. Obanikoro previously represented Eti-Osa in the House of Representatives. Balogun is the son of a former APC chairman in Lagos, Odunuga-Bakare is a lawyer and political loyalist to Femi Gbajabiamila, and Ayinde-Marshal, daughter of Fuji musician KWAM I, recently announced her candidacy on Instagram.

The resignations follow President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all political appointees intending to contest in the 2027 elections must step down by March 31, 2026, to comply with the Electoral Act and ensure a level playing field.

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