Sanwo-Olu Aides, Commissioner Set To Resign

Six officials serving under Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu — five senior aides and one commissioner — are reportedly set to step down from their roles in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The officials, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are seeking tickets to run for seats in the House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Party primaries for the elections are expected to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Those already making their intentions known include Kayode Roberts, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, who is aiming for the Ojo Federal Constituency seat.

Sola Giwa, Special Adviser on Transportation, is also in the race for Lagos Island II Federal Constituency.

Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing, is seeking a seat in the Surulere I State Assembly.

Babajide Obanikoro, who serves as Special Adviser on Parastatals Monitoring, is contesting for Lagos Island I Federal Constituency, while Lekan Balogun, Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, is eyeing Apapa Federal Constituency.

Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, a Senior Special Assistant on Tourism, is also joining the race for Surulere II in the State House of Assembly.

Campaign activities have already started in parts of their constituencies, with posters and other materials seen in public places.

There are also indications that more appointees, both within and outside the cabinet, may soon declare their interest in elective offices.

Their planned resignation comes amid a directive from President Bola Tinubu requiring political appointees who want to contest in the 2027 elections to step down from their roles on or before March 31, 2026.

The move is meant to ensure fairness and compliance with the Electoral Act ahead of the polls.