By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Mr Adeshina Gabriel Oluwashola, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Kosofe Constituency I, has promised to address flooding, poor drainage and other environmental challenges while improving residents’ participation in governance if elected in 2027.
Oluwashola made the pledge in an exclusive interview with Kosofe Post in Lagos, alleging that residents of the constituency had been inadequately represented in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said communities including Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Mende, Anthony, Ogudu and Ojota needed stronger representation and more opportunities to influence decisions affecting them.
According to him, his decision to contest was driven by concerns raised by residents and the trust he said he had built through his activities in the community.
“The truth is that I am not going to the House of Assembly on my own. I am being sent by the people. Looking at what is happening in our constituency, particularly in Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Mende, Anthony, Ogudu and Ojota, it is obvious that people are not adequately represented, and they are not happy with the situation,” he said.
Oluwashola said his proposed approach would prioritise community engagement, outreach and inclusive representation to ensure that different groups could communicate their concerns to the state government through their elected representative.
Promises Budgetary Intervention on Flooding, Drainage
The ADC candidate identified flooding, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management as some of the major environmental challenges facing communities in the constituency.
He described conditions in parts of Oworonshoki as particularly concerning, arguing that inadequate drainage infrastructure had worsened the effects of rainfall.
Oluwashola also criticised the state government’s demolition exercises in some communities, alleging that the authorities had failed to give sufficient consideration to the effects on residents.
He claimed that some demolition activities had affected drainage channels and contributed to worsening flooding. These allegations were not independently established in the interview.
“When the government embarks on demolition, it should give its decisions a human face. Immediately after that demolition, the level of flooding in Lagos went to another level. What they did was block major drainage channels in Lagos. It is horrible,” he said.
He promised that, if elected, he would push for specific budgetary interventions to improve drainage infrastructure and ensure that rainwater could flow out of affected communities.
The candidate also raised concerns about dredging and sand stockpiling activities in parts of Oworonshoki, alleging that some operators were carrying out their activities without adequate environmental impact assessments.
He cited the roads from Ebute towards Meyaki Road and Oworo Road, which he said had been damaged by heavy-duty vehicles transporting sand from the area.
Oluwashola argued that dredging, sand stockpiling and land reclamation should be carried out with proper consideration of their environmental and social effects.
“If you want to dredge, stockpile sand or reclaim land, you need to consider the environmental impact of what you are doing. If you fail to do that, you will create more problems for the community, and that is what is currently happening,” he said.
Raises Concerns Over Waste Management
Oluwashola also identified indiscriminate waste disposal and gaps in waste collection services as factors contributing to environmental problems in the constituency.
He said residents in some locations had resorted to informal waste collection arrangements involving local waste collectors because of what he described as inconsistent services from formal waste management operators.
According to him, when informal collectors were prevented from operating without reliable alternatives being provided, refuse accumulated in the communities.
He said improved waste collection services and public education on proper waste disposal would form part of the interventions he intended to pursue.
Promises Ward Offices, Direct Access to Constituents
Beyond environmental issues, Oluwashola promised to establish constituency offices in every ward to make it easier for residents to report problems, submit complaints and communicate their needs.
He said he also intended to make his contact details publicly accessible so that constituents could reach him directly.
“I intend to make my phone contact available because, when you become a public office holder, you become a public property. People should have access to you.
“We are going to have offices in all our wards so that people can walk in, present their complaints and make observations. There may also be people who cannot easily visit the offices, so we will provide other ways for them to reach us,” he said.
Oluwashola said the proposed feedback channels would help him remain connected to residents, understand emerging challenges and ensure that their concerns informed his legislative activities.
He called for a change in political leadership, saying residents deserved a government and elected representatives who placed their interests at the centre of decision-making.