In a move that has sent unmistakable ripples across Lagos political circles, Honourable Obanikoro, the special adviser to the Lagos state governor on parastatal monitoring, has formally purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest form to contest the House of Representatives seat for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, further charging the political atmosphere in one of Lagos state’s most sought-after legislative districts.
The acquisition of the form, confirmed by close associates of the former federal lawmaker, marks Obanikoro’s definitive entry into the forthcoming race for the green chamber, setting the stage for what political watchers already describe as one of the most consequential intra-party contests the Eti-Osa constituency has witnessed in recent years.
Honourable Obanikoro, whose family name carries deep political resonance in Lagos — his father, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, served as a former Minister of State for Defence and two-time Member of the House of Representatives — has carved his own identity as an astute administrator since his appointment by Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Special Adviser on Parastatal Monitoring.
In his capacity as Special Adviser on Parastatal Monitoring, Obanikoro has been instrumental in overseeing the performance, accountability, and strategic direction of Lagos State’s extensive portfolio of government agencies and parastatals.
Sources within the Lagos State Government House indicate that he earned the respect of colleagues and principals alike for his diligence, transparency-driven approach, and measurable impact in ensuring that state-owned institutions deliver value to ordinary Lagosians.
Political analysts note that his experience at the intersection of executive policy and parastatal administration has equipped him with a rare vantage point — one that bridges government bureaucracy and legislative intent — making him arguably well-prepared to serve as a federal lawmaker who understands how laws translate into institutional realities on the ground.
The Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, encompassing some of Lagos State’s most economically vibrant and demographically diverse communities — including Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and its Atlantic coastline communities — is widely regarded as one of the most strategically significant constituencies in the entire country. It is home to a large concentration of business executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, young Nigerians, and international organisations, making its representative a de facto voice for the Nigerian economic class in the National Assembly.
Winning the APC ticket for Eti-Osa is, in itself, considered a formidable political achievement, as the party primaries are expected to attract several high-profile aspirants eager to clinch the seat in a state that remains a bedrock of APC political dominance.
The Expression of Interest form, which is the formal first stage in the APC’s internal process for screening and selecting candidates, signals that Obanikoro has cleared initial administrative requirements and is prepared to advance to the full nomination exercise.
Party sources say aspirants are expected to subsequently obtain the Nomination Form, after which a screening committee and party primaries will determine the flag bearer.
With his form now in hand, Obanikoro is expected to commence a vigorous consultation and grassroots mobilisation drive across the length and breadth of Eti-Osa, engaging ward-level party structures, community leaders, market associations, youth groups, professional bodies, and the broad spectrum of constituents whose confidence he must secure.
Reactions from across the political spectrum have poured in since news of the form acquisition became public. Senior APC chieftains in Lagos described Obanikoro’s decision as a welcome development, citing his track record and family pedigree as assets that would be difficult for competitors to match.
Several ward-level party officials in Eti-Osa also expressed enthusiasm, suggesting that his entry injects fresh energy and competitiveness into a race that had, until now, lacked a figure with his combination of executive experience and name recognition.
A community leader in the Lekki axis, speaking on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent: “What we want is someone who knows how government works from the inside, who can hold ministries accountable and fight for our constituency’s infrastructure and development in Abuja. Obanikoro fits that profile.”
Youth groups within the constituency have also welcomed the announcement, with several expressing optimism that his entry could galvanise voter participation, particularly among the younger demographic that dominates Eti-Osa’s population profile.
For the Obanikoro family, this bid carries added significance. Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro’s aspiration to represent Eti-Osa is in many ways a continuation of a family narrative deeply intertwined with Lagos politics and federal legislative service.
But those close to him insist that this is very much his own race — driven by his personal convictions, his reading of the constituency’s unmet needs, and his desire to serve at the national level where he can amplify the voice of Eti-Osa in Nigeria’s democratic conversation.
As the APC’s internal calendar advances and the nation’s electoral machinery begins its familiar acceleration toward a general election cycle, Honourable Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro’s declaration puts him squarely at the centre of one of Lagos politics’ most watched contests.
Whether the constituency will hand him its mandate remains to be determined at the primaries — but there is little doubt that his entry has fundamentally reshaped the dynamics of the Eti-Osa House of Representatives race.
