BIODUN COKER: I want to Carve a Niche for Myself with a Legacy Distinct from My Dad's

By Dansu Peter  All A top chairmanship aspirant for Lagos Island Local Government under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Biodun Coke...

By Dansu Peter 

All A top chairmanship aspirant for Lagos Island Local Government under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Biodun Coker, has declared his intention to chart his own path in public service, separate from the legacy of his father, Yemisi Coker.

Speaking against the backdrop of growing interest in the forthcoming Lagos LG elections, Coker said his ambition is rooted in a personal commitment to grassroots development, not in riding on the coattails of his family name.

“I am proud of my father’s record in public service, just as I am committed to forging my own through integrity and hard work,” he said. “But I want it to be clear: I am not here to inherit a legacy—I’m here to build one.”

Coker, who clarified that his father has not held any political office since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, emphasized that aspiring leaders should be judged by their capacity, not their lineage.

He addressed recent misinterpretations of his comments on the council polls, stating that they were selectively quoted by those unsettled by the growing support for his candidacy. He insisted that leadership must be earned through demonstrated service and a clear vision for development.

“Let them come forward and show us their record—what have they built, improved, or transformed in our community?” Coker challenged. “Leadership is not declared in backrooms or headlines; it is proven in the streets, the markets, the schools, and in the lives of the people.”

He also dismissed speculations that his aspiration lacked the blessing of key party leaders, clarifying that the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has never opposed anyone’s constitutional right to contest.

Coker expressed concern over what he described as a “campaign of calumny” by rivals unable to offer credible alternatives or present a track record of service. “Rather than engage the people with ideas and solutions, they hide behind faceless publications and whisper campaigns,” he said.

Reaffirming his mission to serve Lagos Island with dedication, he stated: “It is not a sin for the children of public officers to run for office. There is no shame in legacy when it is rooted in service, values, and impact. But I am here to carve my own niche—one that will stand on its own merit.”