Netizens fault Agege chairman’s ‘inclusive governance’ pledge

By Adebola Muili

Some Nigerians have criticised the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Abdulganuyu Vinod Obasa, over his pledge to promote inclusive governance for residents, particularly members of the Igbo community in the council area.

The criticism followed a post by Obasa on X, in which he highlighted his administration’s engagement with a group of Igbo residents in Agege and assured them that they remained an important part of the community.

Reacting to the post, Bayo Bilisi questioned the fairness of extending such opportunities to non-indigenes in Agege when, according to him, Yoruba people living in other parts of the country do not enjoy similar opportunities.

“Let’s see the list of LG excos in Kano, Anambra and Cross River to see how many Yorùbás are included,” Bilisi said.

He argued that before promising inclusive government to non-indigenes in Agege, the chairman should consider whether Agege indigenes receive similar opportunities in their respective communities.

“Before you promise anyone inclusive government, let the chairman of their LG of origin include one Agege indigene in their excos list too,” he said.

Responding, Obasa dismissed the criticism, saying his administration had not neglected the Yoruba people or traditional institutions in Agege.

“I believe adequate research should be done before you jump into this conclusion. People in Agege won’t say this, it’s always the outsiders,” the chairman said.

Obasa cited several measures he said his administration had taken to promote the interests of the indigenous community, including plans to install five new Baales and improve the allowances of traditional rulers, including Baales, chiefs and Obas.

He added that the Olu of Agege and Ologba of Ogba had been presented with official vehicles, while the council celebrated Isese Day and ensured that members of its cabinet were indigenes of the local government.

The chairman also challenged his critics to examine the composition of the council’s legislative and executive structures before accusing his administration of marginalising Agege indigenes.

“Have you checked our councillors and supervisors listing before you came to that conclusion?” Obasa asked.

In a subsequent response, Bilisi clarified that his comment was not intended as an attack on the chairman, noting that he had previously acknowledged Obasa’s achievements and even hosted a social media space for him.

He also objected to what he described as a misrepresentation of his original comment.

“Thanks for your response sir. However, I expect that I’m quoted correctly. ‘Bastardising?’ and ‘Selling out to enemies?’ were nowhere written in my post,” Bilisi said.

Bilisi, however, maintained that promising inclusive governance to non-indigenes in Agege while Yoruba indigenes allegedly face exclusion in other parts of the country raised questions about equal treatment.

Another respondent, Thaiwoh Mitchell, defended Bilisi’s position, saying the criticism was not an attack on Obasa but an appeal for equal treatment of Agege indigenes outside Lagos.

Mitchell argued that the chairman should not give “four out of 10 spaces” to people whose communities of origin allegedly give “10 out of 10” opportunities to their own indigenes.

Also reacting, Ogbeni Oluya questioned the wisdom of promising inclusive governance to Igbo residents in Agege, arguing that Lagos and Agege are traditionally Yoruba territories.

He said the move could revive the controversy surrounding claims that Lagos is “no man’s land”, describing the pledge as “a complete no-go area.”

The exchange has continued to generate reactions on social media, with the debate centring on the balance between inclusive governance, the interests of indigenous communities and equal opportunities for non-indigenes resident in different parts of Nigeria.