Ahead of the Lagos State local government polls billed to hold on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Akeem Olalekan Dauda aka Lagbaja, Secretary to the Ikeja Local to council is contesting the chairmanship position. He bares his mind to Standarddailypress on his motivation for leadership position and his programmes for Ikeja council if he wins. Below is excerpt of the interview:
Standarddailypress: What motivates you to contest for the chairmanship of Ikeja Local Government?
Akeem Olalekan Dauda aka Lagbaja: Service to the people, it’s being in my heart to serve the people since my days in ilaro polytechnic and in every where or position I have found myself, I have utilized the opportunity to serve the people around me and uplift them in anyway I can.
Standarddailypress: If you win this election, what are your vision and mission for this very important local government area?
Akeem Olalekan Dauda aka Lagbaja: Winning is sacrosanct by God’s grace. The vision is to create better Days for the good people of ikeja and the mission is to ensure that the dividends of democracy gets to every nooks and crannies of ikeja by utilizing the available resources at our disposal judiciously.
Standarddailypress: Who are your major opponents in the election, and what are your chances of winning?
Akeem Olalekan Dauda Aka Lagbaja: Well, as it is, no major opponents and that makes the chances of our party very high. We have run a serious issue based campaign. We have a rich manifesto tagged I.K.EJ.A Agenda which we have printed over 5000 copies and have been distributed across the length and breadth of ikeja with great acceptability. While we are not displaying any sense of complacency, we believe that with the way we have campaigned and reached out to the electorate, victory is certain Insha Allah.
Standarddailypress: What is your core message for the people of Ikeja Local Government Area in this election?
Akeem Olalekan Dauda aka Lagbaja: My core message is that the good people of ikeja should be rest assured that I would deliver as their chairman. This confidence is rooted in my experience in local administration and governance. I am capable to bring about the desired progress Ikeja LGA needs at the moment and I have the capacity to deliver to them their yearnings because I am aware and I have the wherewithal to take Ikeja Local Government to the next level.
Standarddailypress: If you win, how do you intend to shape your relationship with the state government?
Akeem Olalekan Dauda aka Lagbaja: Because of the peculiarity of Ikeja Local Government as the state capital, I believe that there should be a little more attention to our local government. Currently, there is a cordial relationship between the local and state governments but we will try and ensure that it is more cordial so as to draw more progress from the state to our dear Local Government. We have a listening and performing governor who will be willing to deepen that relationship.
