By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Former Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmanship aspirant, Hon. Toyin Balogun, has aligned with Mayor Dele Oshinowo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kosofe Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Balogun’s endorsement is seen as a boost to efforts to consolidate support for the party’s candidate following its internal selection process.
L–R: Toyin Balogun with Mayor Dele Oshinowo during a recent engagement with a Community Development Association in part of Kosofe.
A grassroots political figure in Ikosi-Isheri, Balogun has contested for the LCDA chairmanship in previous election cycles and participated in political mobilisation within the area.
He also played a role in the 2025 coalition of chairmanship aspirants and supported empowerment initiatives and the re-election campaign of Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the incumbent lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, according to accounts of his political activities.
Party Unity Ahead of 2027
Balogun’s decision to support Oshinowo highlights the importance of party cohesion as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Supporters of the alignment argue that bringing influential grassroots figures behind the party’s candidate could strengthen mobilisation across Kosofe. Balogun’s local networks may also help the APC consolidate its support base in Ikosi-Isheri and neighbouring communities.
His move comes amid the familiar challenge facing political parties after internal contests: reconciling aspirants and their supporters behind candidates who emerge from the selection process.
For the APC, maintaining unity among its local leaders and mobilising voters across the constituency will be important to its electoral prospects.
Balogun’s alignment with Oshinowo reinforces the message that party cohesion can play a significant role in shaping the campaign ahead. However, the extent to which the realignment translates into broader voter support will become clearer as campaigning progresses.