By Pastor Jibola Olarinoye
LAGOS – As the political landscape for the 2027 general elections begins to take shape, the conversation in Lagos Island is shifting toward a need for representation that marries professional excellence with deep-rooted grassroots connection. At the center of this burgeoning movement is Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, popularly known as Omoatitebi, a seasoned journalist and publisher who has officially joined the race to represent Lagos Island Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Running under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Teslim is not merely seeking an office; he is proposing a paradigm shift in how lawmaking serves the local community.
A Legacy of Leadership and Creativity
My journey with Teslim began at the prestigious Lagos State Polytechnic (now LASUSTECH), where we studied Mass Communication. Even then, his leadership trajectory was undeniable. He was the architect of “The Great Islanders Team,” a platform that unified students from Lagos Island to champion academic and social causes.
From initiating the “Augustino Club” to celebrate peers using his personal funds, to serving as the Vice President of the Tourism Club of Nigeria—facilitating international exposure for his classmates—Teslim has always been a “man of the people.” His influence extended to campus security, where he frequently confronted external threats to ensure student safety, guiding peers toward the mentorship of the Kegite Club for protection and transformation.
Bridging the Gap: The Journalist in Politics
Teslim’s professional background provides him with a unique legislative edge. As a journalist, he has spent decades documenting the struggles of the streets—from the markets of Oko-Faji and Epetedo to the corridors of Lafiaji and Campus.
“Lagos Island needs fresh minds,” Teslim asserts. “I am coming with fresh ideas and a new direction for governance. I won’t be a lawmaker who sits in Alausa and only visits his constituents when it is convenient. Representation must be constant, visible, and practical.”
His vision includes:
- Direct Engagement: Regular town hall meetings with artisans, youths, and market women.
- Legislative Integrity: A commitment to dignified conduct in the House, far removed from the “mace-snatching” or chaotic politics of the past.
- Youth Mentorship: Drawing from his own mentorship under Barrister Seyi Tinubu, Teslim aims to replicate the “City Boys” energy to empower the next generation of Islanders.
Unmatched Grassroots Synergy
Teslim’s popularity is not accidental. He is perhaps the only aspirant who maintains a personal rapport with almost every member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and local APC executives across the ten wards of the constituency. His 2015 APC Almanac, sponsored by former Rep. Hon. Yakub Abiodun Balogun, remains a testament to his long-standing loyalty to progressive ideals.
Furthermore, his ambition has earned the heavy-weight endorsements of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Federation of Ibile Broadcast Association of Nigeria (FIBAN). These professional bodies recognize that a lawmaker who knows how to listen, investigate, and communicate is exactly what a modern Lagos needs.
The Choice for 2027
As the countdown begins, the voters of Lagos Island Constituency II face a definitive choice: stick with the status quo or embrace a “Fresh Voice” that understands both the law and the streets.
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Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim is offering a refined alternative—a servant-leader who has spent his life amplifying the voices of others and is now ready to turn those voices into votes, and those votes into progress.
