Reports are flying that Mayor Dele Oshinowo (the former Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA) is ready to move from his local seat to the big stage in Abuja. His target? The House of Representatives seat currently held by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
This isn’t just a small disagreement; it’s a battle for the soul of one of Lagos’s most influential constituencies. At GoPolitical, we’re looking past the smiles in the posters to find the real “Waza” (secret) behind this fight.
Why the “Mayor” is Angry
Dele Oshinowo, popularly called “The Mayor,” has built a strong fortress in Agboyi-Ketu. Our intelligence suggests he feels he has outgrown the local government level.
The Logic: In the Lagos APC “Machine,” you usually wait your turn. But Oshinowo seems tired of waiting. He is betting on his “grassroots record” to prove that the current representation in Abuja is out of touch with the streets of Kosofe.
The Threat: He isn’t just “suggesting” a change; he is reportedly threatening to unseat Ogbara. In Lagos politics, that is a bold move that usually requires a “green light” from the higher-ups (The Silk Curtain). The question is: who gave him that light?
The Ogbara Defense
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara is not a newcomer. She is a seasoned player in the APC “Machine” and has her own deep roots.
The Legal/Political Trap: For Ogbara, this is a fight for survival. If she loses the support of the local chairmen in her constituency, her work in Abuja becomes irrelevant.
The Chokehold: In Lagos, if the local government chairmen decide to “lock the gate” against a Representative, that Representative can’t even hold a town hall meeting without trouble. Oshinowo is the one holding the keys to that gate right now.
Why is this happening now, in May 2026?
- With the new Electoral Act Amendment (which we reported on recently) making it harder for “outsiders” to win, the real fight is happening inside the party.
- Kosofe is a high-revenue area. Whoever controls the House of Reps seat has a massive say in federal projects and patronage that flows back to Lagos. Oshinowo wants a bigger piece of that pie for his “territory.”
What This Means for the Masses
For the average person in Kosofe, this fight is a double-edged sword.
The Good: When two big elephants fight, they sometimes start “spending” on the people to win their favor (roads, empowerment schemes, and food).
The Bad: It creates tension on the streets. If the “boys” on Oshinowo’s side clash with the “boys” on Ogbara’s side, the ordinary market woman is the one who has to close her shop in a hurry.
The GAC’s Hard Choice
In Lagos, the final word usually belongs to the Governance Advisory Council (GAC)— Usually, they don’t like public bickering. They prefer “selection” over “election.”
By making this threat public, Oshinowo has forced the elders to choose. Will they stick with the incumbent Ogbara, or will they let the “ambitious Mayor” have his way?
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