A political storm reminiscent of the famous Wike vs. Fubara power struggle is brewing in Ifelodun LCDA as former Council Chairman, Hon. Fatai Shuaib Orombo Ajidagba, moves to unseat his own political protégé, Hon. Saad Lukman Olumoh, in the race for the Lagos State House of Assembly ticket.
Ajidagba, claiming wide credit for mentoring Olumoh and advancing his rise in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has now launched a bold challenge against the third-term seeking lawmaker. He insists that Olumoh was part of a long-standing internal agreement on power rotation that must be respected.
Hon. Olumoh, seeking a third term, faces a challenge from the very mentor who helped launch his political career. Ajidagba, speaking at a recent interactive session, said he owed the public a clarification on his intentions.
“It is no secret that Hon. Saad Olumoh rose through the Ajifat Concerned Organisation (ACO) structure, which I built. The original understanding was that political positions would rotate to allow others grow,” Ajidagba said.
“I am not saying he should not progress. But when we brought him forward as an aspirant before he became a serving member of the House of Assembly, the agreement was clear: we must move from one position to another. He was part of that agenda.”
Ajidagba questioned why Olumoh now insists on continuity, when he himself previously challenged other leaders at different times.
“Hon. Olumoh contested against Hon. Kolawole Taiwo when he sought to be Speaker, and he also contested against Hon. Dayo Famakinwa, who was seeking a second term. So why should he feel nobody must contest against him? What is good for one should be good for all,” Ajidagba emphasized.
Highlighting his own contributions to the APC while out of office since 2021, Ajidagba said, “I have paid my dues—2021 to 2025 out of office. Am I not to be rewarded? I cannot return as Council Chairman. If he wishes, he can contest for Chairman. If the people want him, they’ll elect him.”
Citing examples within Lagos politics to justify rotation, he noted:
Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni rose from Council Chairman to Assembly member to Senator.
Hon. Ramota Akinola-Hassan moved from Assembly to two-term Council Chairman.
Hon. Jide Jimoh progressed from Councilor to Chairman to Assembly to House of Reps, and now holds a federal appointment.
Ajidagba stressed, “We shift for ourselves so others can also move in. I’ve stayed out of office for six years. The people love him, yes, but he too can shift when necessary. If there’s any reason he must return, let them bring a formal directive.“If there’s any reason he must go back, let them bring ‘to whom it may concern’ stating the order is from above. Then no problem.”
He also highlighted the importance of youth inclusion in the APC, citing Hon. Olalekan Olu Akindipe (Lampholder) and Hon. Sabur Akanbi Oluwa as examples of capable party youths in their 40s.
“Let people aspire. That is what I love most. If more of our former councilors come forward, we will welcome them. We must give youths a chance.”
Ajidagba described ACO as a platform that has consistently produced successful politicians, including Olumoh himself.
On Social Media Hostility:
Addressing online tensions between supporters, Ajidagba dismissed them as temporary loyalists benefiting from Olumoh’s “stomach infrastructure.”
“Those following him today were my people yesterday, and they are still my people. Once their benefits finish, they will return to ACO,” he said, stressing that fairness, equity, peace, and justice would prevent political violence in Ifelodun.
10,000 Expected at End-of-Year Celebration
Looking ahead, Ajidagba revealed that his annual end-of-year/birthday celebration will be massive, coinciding with the election season. Attendance requires purchasing Ankara fabric as a gate pass, with over 8,000 already secured, approaching the 10,000 mark.
“When a former office holder is cruising and shining while the serving one is panicking, it shows who is on the ground,” he joked.
Despite years out of office, Ajidagba said the overwhelming support he enjoys reflects his past performance.
“If I get an alert today, it is either from MTN or Airtel, not government money. Yet the people love the former more than the serving. Their support gives us momentum, and I won’t disappoint them.”
The former chairman concluded with confidence:
“The House of Assembly ticket is mine by God’s grace.”
