"I FACILITATED YOUTH JOBS WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA NOISE" — MUSILIU AIGORO ~PLEDGES OPEN-DOOR LEGISLATURE IN KOSOFE CONSTITUENCY 1 BID*

By Olusegun Apena 

After three unsuccessful runs for Kosofe Local Government chairmanship, Hon. Musiliu Aigoro is now eyeing the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kosofe Constituency I, pitching his aspiration on administrative experience, party loyalty, and a record of quietly placing many youth from his community into state jobs during his time as Commissioner in the Lagos State Audit Service Commission.

Aigoro who holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, in an interview with Kosofe Reporters, made it known that he is well primed to represent the people of Kosofe constituency 1 with progressive ideas and great commitment, adding that he has been a progressive and part of the progressive party from the start, contesting the Kosofe chairmanship three times on its platform with each bid ending through party consensus. 

“APC in Lagos State as you all know is a progressive-thinking party… where two or more people are jostling for a particular office… the leadership of the party in their wisdom would want us to go for consensus to avoid violence. On all three occasions, the leadership resolved that others should proceed while telling him he remained suited for other offices.

He, however, dismissed the suggestion that seeking the Assembly after three chairmanship bids is a demotion. “If you look at the governance structure in Nigeria, let’s zoom in on Lagos State. The position of lawmaker is higher in hierarchy than the council chairman. In every democratic setting, if you remove the legislature, there is nothing like democracy. It is the legislature that makes democracy what it’s called.”

During his time at the Audit Service Commission, Aigoro said the role gave him room to impact his constituency directly:

“I have been able to facilitate the employment of many youth in our community. But I am not a person with an idea of celebrating such achievements by putting them on social media platforms… A lot of people will come out and testify that I made them gainfully employed in the services of Lagos State government.”

On the performance of the incumbent Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, who has represented Constituency I for about five and a half years, Aigoro said the lawmaker has made efforts and achieved some things, but noted that every human being has limits and cannot exceed their capacity. 

He suggested Okanlawon could perform better, particularly by improving constituent relations, noting that most requests from constituents are not about money but about human connection and listening.

Asked whether he would step aside if the party leadership backs Okanlawon for a third term, Aigoro was clear: “Party, as they used to say, is supreme… If the leaders decide that Okanlawon should return, I think I will not have any objection to that. If you look at my antecedents, I have contested elections three times and it is the issue of leaders asking me to step down.”

He listed accessibility as his “area of strength,” noting that market women and NURTW members and other members of the community always approach him to help settle disputes. “My house has a gate but you hardly find the gate locked… if I get to the office by the grace of God, the system is not going to change. Except that there is going to be some kind of security caution. But that notwithstanding they will still be able to access me.”

On party relations, he said he respects Kosofe leaders Otunba Busira Alebiosu and Omo Olumuyiwa Sosanya, but sometimes disagrees with them in certain areas, stressing that doesn’t imply being at loggerheads with them. 

He pointed to his roles on the APC’s screening and electoral committees during the last council elections as evidence of his standing with the state leadership. As part of his contributions to the party over time, he said, it is on record that he served as Kosofe Coordinator for the Sanwo-Olu Governorship Campaign in 2019; Chairman, Okla Campaign Organisation in 2019; Director, Security, Hon. Bayo Osinowo Senatorial Campaign Team; Director, Special Duties, Tokunbo Abiru Campaign Team; and Director, Local Government Affairs, Sanwo-Olu Campaign Team in 2023.

 “They don’t just pick anybody. They pick people who have knowledge, who have served the party meritoriously,” he said.

Aigoro holds a bachelor's degree in political science, a master’s in public administration, and expects to be awarded a doctoral degree in public administration with competency in public policy analysis in three months. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, and a Fellow of the Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria. He said that his strong academic base would shape his legislative work, especially on oversight and public finance. 

“The office of a member of the House of Assembly is an office of influence… As a member of the House of Assembly, you have a lot of influence. And that influence should come out in assisting a lot of people to get what they deserve in the constituency. A lawmaker must be discerning enough to know the actual needs of his constituents… raise it on the floor of the Assembly, defend it and nurture it to fruition," he said.