By Bilesanmi Abayomi
As Hon. Kafilat Ogbara marks one year in office as the lawmaker representing the Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos under the All Progressives Congress (APC), public opinion appears divided on her performance and intentions. According to information gathered from various sources, Ogbara’s tenure has been characterized by what some describe as political showmanship and attempts to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than delivering quality representation.
Ogbara’s political journey in Kosofe spans over 18 years, beginning with her unsuccessful bid for a House of Representatives seat on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform in 2007. She switched allegiance to the APC in 2015, after the PDP lost the presidential election, a move many attribute to the opportunistic ideology of aligning with the ruling party. Her defection eventually bore fruit as she secured appointments and ultimately clinched the party’s candidacy for the 2023 elections, overcoming significant political rivalry in a notably peaceful primary process.
As the first female lawmaker for Kosofe at the National Assembly, Ogbara’s initial year has been marked by mixed reactions. On the one hand, she has been active in legislative debates and committee work, particularly advocating for women’s issues. Her achievements include facilitating the provision of boreholes, transformers, grants, and distributing 3KG refill cooking gas to select residents to commemorate her first year in office.
However, her tenure has not been without criticism. Local Government Chairmen and constituents have questioned the whereabouts of presidential palliatives meant for the community, sparking significant discontent. Despite repeated inquiries, Ogbara has yet to provide satisfactory explanations.
Adding to the controversy, Dauda Atitebi, a known political praise singer, released a video lauding Ogbara’s leadership. Atietebi dismissed critics and claimed all resources allocated from Abuja had reached the Kosofe APC members. He controversially declared Ogbara the best representative in Kosofe’s history, despite lacking concrete evidence of surpassing her predecessor, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye’s achievements.
Atitebi’s history of praise singing for various politicians, including Agunsoye, whom he previously celebrated for reuniting him with his family and providing empowerment opportunities, casts doubts on his impartiality. This behavior has led many to believe he merely adapts to whoever is in power, reinforcing the perception of political opportunism.
The political dynamics in Kosofe have also been influenced by Ogbara’s relationship with local government chairmen, who were instrumental in her electoral success but now feel sidelined. Critics argue that Ogbara’s focus has shifted from constituent-oriented representation to securing her political future by attempting to control local party structures under the guise of the Tinubu Mandate Movement, which is opposed by a faction loyal to Agunsoye.
As Kosofe constituents continue to demand accountability, especially regarding the undisclosed millions in presidential palliatives, Ogbara faces mounting pressure to address these concerns transparently. Her ability to balance political maneuvering with effective representation will likely determine her long-term success and legacy in the constituency.