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Awori stake deepens in Lagos politics as Jim-Kamal demands open APC primary

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Jim-Kamal, has intensified calls for open and transparent primaries in the Lagos APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election, while positioning the growing “Awori agenda” as a key political force in the state’s evolving power dynamics.

Speaking during the unveiling of his policy direction in Lagos last Monday, Jim-Kamal rejected reports of a consensus arrangement within the party, insisting that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through the APC governorship primary.

“There is nothing like consensus. If there was consensus, the deputy governor would not be running around seeking support. We are all going to the primary,” he declared.

The APC aspirant’s comments come amid increasing political conversations around zoning, inclusion and indigenous representation within Lagos politics, especially among Awori communities who believe they have remained politically marginalised despite their historical roots in the state.

Jim-Kamal, an Awori indigene, said the time had come for indigenous communities and island-based political blocs to play a more visible role in shaping Lagos’ political and developmental direction.

“We the Aworis and the Islanders have come to put things in the right perspective. We know the problems of Lagos and we are in a better position to solve them in the interest of all Lagosians,” he said.

Without directly attacking any aspirant, the former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate criticised consensus politics, arguing that imposed candidacies often breed resentment and weaken internal democracy within political parties.

According to him, the amended Electoral Act signed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strengthened direct primaries and reduced opportunities for political imposition.

Jim-Kamal maintained that the APC primary should reflect the wishes of party members rather than elite negotiations, urging delegates to vote according to conscience and competence.

Observers say his remarks reflect deeper undercurrents within Lagos politics, where debates around indigenous representation, grassroots mobilisation and succession politics are gradually becoming more pronounced ahead of 2027.

Beyond the political rhetoric, Jim-Kamal used the occasion to unveil a people-centred development agenda anchored on social welfare, youth empowerment, family values and economic revitalisation.

He promised free education, technology-driven healthcare services, mechanised agriculture, road reconstruction, urban renewal and youth employment initiatives if elected governor.

Part of his proposal includes a ₦100,000 monthly support scheme for unemployed youths pending employment opportunities, as well as ₦150,000 monthly support for senior citizens above 60 years and nursing mothers.

The governorship hopeful also linked his agenda to food security and grassroots economic development, promising to regenerate agricultural production in Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe through modern farming initiatives.

He argued that stronger investment in local food production and family reorientation programmes would help reduce social dislocation, youth crime and economic hardship across Lagos communities.

Jim-Kamal also claimed that foreign development partners were prepared to invest billions of dollars in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, housing and human capital development if his administration emerges in 2027.

The governorship hopeful also announced Abiola Okoya Thomas, daughter of businessman Razaq Okoya, as his running mate for the APC governorship race.

Political analysts believe the emergence of the Awori narrative within the APC contest may further reshape alignments ahead of the governorship primary, especially as aspirants continue consultations across grassroots structures and influential political blocs within the state.