By Peter Dansu In a surprising political twist, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillor in Yaba Local Council Development Area ...
By Peter Dansu
In a surprising political twist, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillor in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Babatunde Dosunmu, has emerged as the new Leader of the Legislative House. He is the only winner of the opposition in the entire State in the recent Lagos State Local Government elections held on July 12.
Hon. Dosunmu, who represents Ward D, Abule Oja, was unanimously elected by his fellow councillors shortly after the council was inaugurated. What makes his rise even more remarkable is that he was elected under the PDP platform, making him the sole opposition voice in a council largely dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Related News: Lagos LG Polls: PDP Wins Councillorship Seat in Yaba LCDA in Surprise Upset
According to insider accounts, Dosunmu had initially been a member of the APC but was denied a return ticket ahead of the 2025 local government elections. Popular among grassroots residents in his ward, Dosunmu defected to the PDP and contested the elections under their banner. His victory at the polls was widely seen as a protest vote by the people of Abule Oja against the APC's internal politics and alleged imposition of candidates.
Things took another dramatic turn shortly after the proclamation of the new legislative session. Before the official swearing-in ceremony, Hon. Dosunmu reportedly made a quiet return to his former party — the APC — and was swiftly embraced by his colleagues, who went ahead to unanimously elect him as Leader of the House.
Sources within the council describe Dosunmu's election as a strategic and unifying move by the legislators, many of whom admire his legislative experience and strong ties to the community.
“He knows the job, and he has the respect of everyone here,” a councillor who spoke under anonymity said. “Politics aside, Babatunde is a grassroots man, and that’s what we need right now.”
Hon. Babatunde Dosunmu's journey — from being denied a ticket, to winning under the opposition party, and returning to lead the house — is already being described by political observers as a masterclass in resilience and strategic navigation of Nigeria's complex local politics.
With this unexpected development, all eyes will now be on the Yaba LCDA legislative house as Dosunmu takes on the task of leading a chamber where political lines appear to be giving way to shared goals and mutual respect.
No comments