An aspirant for the Ikeja Federal Constituency seat, Mr Olalekan Ayinla, has accepted calls by supporters to join the 2027 race, promising to prioritise innovation, youth development and human capital advancement.

Ayinla made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday where his campaign team formally presented him with nomination forms to contest the election.

He expressed appreciation to supporters for their confidence in him, describing the moment as a collective decision to reposition the constituency.

“I thank you all for coming together to call me to serve. I hereby accept your request and the responsibility to contest in the next election.

“This is not just about me; it is about all of us and the future of our constituency.

“We must work together to achieve meaningful change,” he said.

The aspirant said his ambition was to provide effective representation and transform the constituency from a consumption-driven system to a productivity-based economy.

“My mission is to move our people from an era of dependency to one where we create opportunities.

“Ikeja is a strategic and commercial hub, and we must drive innovation and attract policies that will position us globally,” he said.

Ayinla stressed the need for grassroots engagement, noting that his political approach was rooted in understanding the needs of the people.

“I have a grassroots connection with our people.

“I understand your challenges, your aspirations and your expectations. Life is dynamic, and we must act now if we want a different outcome,” he said.

He questioned the level of development in the constituency over the years, calling for bold and consistent leadership.

“For many years, people have waited for tangible progress.

“We must ask ourselves if we are satisfied with the current situation or ready for real change.

“For this change to happen, we must be bold and consistent.

“This is our time, and with God’s guidance, we will succeed,” he said.

On his policy priorities, Ayinla identified education and human development as critical sectors requiring urgent attention.

“Education will be at the top of our agenda. While efforts have been made, there is still a need to revitalise our schools and improve learning outcomes.

“We will also invest in our people through skills acquisition, training programmes and empowerment initiatives that will enhance their standard of living,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Ayinla Campaign Organisation Mr Solomon Johnson said the decision to present the nomination form to the aspirant followed extensive consultations among stakeholders.

“We have come together as a group to purchase this form and present it to him because we believe he has the capacity to represent Ikeja Federal Constituency effectively.

“We asked him if he would represent us if given the mandate, and he agreed.

“That is why we are here today to formally present this form to him,” the campaign director said.

Ayinla, however, noted that his declaration marked the beginning of broader consultations, adding that his campaign would focus on engaging the people and presenting a clear development agenda.

“This is just the unveiling and presentation. The journey ahead requires collective effort, and we will continue to engage with our people to build a better constituency,” he said.