By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially inaugurated a 37-member cabinet, charging them with the responsibility to build upon the achievements of his administration in the next four years. This development follows the Governor’s recent re-election for a second term, with the cabinet consisting of Commissioners and Special Advisers who will collaborate closely with the Governor.
The new cabinet reflects inclusivity as every Local Government across the state has its representatives among the appointed officials. Among the notable figures representing Kosofe are the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Gbenga Omotosho, and Hon. Dayo Alebiosu.
While Hon. Gbenga Omotosho has been a part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet since 2019, serving as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, his re-appointment has officially clarified his position as the second nominee from Kosofe. This clarification comes as a result of an order from the Lagos State House of Assembly requesting the Governor to associate each nominee with their respective Local Government area.
According to reports from Kosofe Post, initially, three names were put forward by key Kosofe stakeholders for consideration by the Governor. These candidates included the Former Member of the House of Representatives representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Hon. Dayo Alebiosu, Former Ikosi Isheri LCDA Sole Administrator, Hon. Afolabi Bamisile ABK, and Hon. Abiodun Ogungbo. The inclusion of Hon. Omotosho in the cabinet has generated controversy within the APC ranks in Kosofe.
Some concerned APC members expressed their dissatisfaction with the appointment of Hon. Omotosho, alleging that he was imposed upon Kosofe, sidelining those who played pivotal roles in the party’s success during the 2023 general elections.
Oloye Salami Oluwaseun, a prominent figure in the Kosofe chapter of APC, voiced his concerns, stating, “Omotosho was never a Kosofe federal constituency candidate for the commissionership appointment because, throughout his first term as a Commissioner, he never participated in the political activities of Kosofe even during the much-troubled last election but was stylishly smuggled into the arena again by the governor with the sole intention to benefit from where he did not sow.”
He continued, “The Kosofe chapter of APC has many eminently qualified party members who can serve as a Commissioner. In my own opinion, I expected Mr. Governor ought to have learned a political lesson during the last general elections to strengthen the party rewards system and appoint people who have political values into the office, not those who see government as an opportunity to cash out.”
Oluwaseun also appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to respect the wishes of the people of Kosofe and provide them with direct representation, as the 2027 election approaches.
In this new administration, the focus will undoubtedly be on the two inaugurated Lagos State cabinet members from Kosofe, Hon. Gbenga Omotosho and Hon. Dayo Alebiosu. The expectation is that they will work collaboratively to facilitate the delivery of democracy’s dividends to the Local Government Area and the entire Lagos State.
