A TRAILBLAZER IN SOMOLU: WHY ABIODUN OREKOYA DESERVES AN AUTOMATIC SECOND-TERM TICKET

~Three Years of Impact, One Clear Case for Continuity in Somolu Constituency 1  

By Olusegun Apena 

When Hon. Abiodun Orekoya walked into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2023 as the representative of Somolu Constituency 1, expectations were measured. He was a first-term lawmaker in the 10th Assembly, stepping up from his role as former Vice Chairman and Executive Secretary of Somolu Local Government. Three years later, the conversation in Somolu has shifted from “let’s give him a chance” to “let’s keep him.”

The reason is simple: performance. In a system where many first-time legislators struggle to find their footing, Orekoya has carved out a reputation as a hands-on, accessible, and results-driven representative whose scorecard is already visible in classrooms, markets, streets, and sports fields across Somolu.

A LEGISLATOR WHO SHOWS UP — AND DELIVERS  

Orekoya’s influence extends beyond the chambers of the Assembly. As Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development, he has combined creativity with firmness to push key initiatives forward. Perhaps the most notable is his role in the near-completion of nine stadia across Lagos State, a project aimed at reviving grassroots sports and providing young people with structured opportunities outside the classroom.

But his legislative work has been just as robust. Orekoya has co-sponsored over a dozen bills that cut across governance, finance, infrastructure, and social welfare. These include the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill 2023, the Local Government Administration (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Community Development Associations (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation Bill 2024, and the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024. More recently, he has supported the Lagos State Research Trust Fund Bill 2025 and the Lagos State Railway Corporation Bill 2025, positioning himself as a lawmaker who thinks long-term about development.

On the floor of the House, he has also moved and co-moved motions that speak directly to everyday realities in Lagos. From calling for a crackdown on illicit drug abuse to advocating for financial autonomy for Local Government legislatures, and from pushing for guidance and counselling units in all Lagos schools to supporting the formal recognition of Isese Day celebrations at the community level, Orekoya has consistently used his voice for issues that matter to residents.

One of his most defining moments came when he brought the case of 12-year-old Aminat Alege - a student shot by a stray police bullet in Agege - to the attention of the House. The intervention forced the relevant committee to act, ensuring the matter did not disappear into bureaucratic silence.

FROM THE CHAMBER TO THE COMMUNITY  

Where Orekoya has truly distinguished himself is in translating legislative influence into tangible benefits for Somolu residents.

Education: Over 250 GCE forms and 150 JAMB forms have been distributed to students across the constituency. Another 147 students have received bursary awards, while four indigent students are on full scholarship under his sponsorship. Cash support for tuition has also reached scores of families who would otherwise have pulled their children out of school.

Infrastructure: At least ten roads have been rehabilitated or reconstructed under his facilitation, including Awosuyi Street and Oguntolu Street. For traders and commuters in Somolu’s dense neighbourhoods, the improved mobility has meant shorter travel times and better access to markets.

Economic Empowerment: More than 341 constituents have received tools, equipment, grants, or business support to start or expand small enterprises. Ninety-six beneficiaries have been reached through the NG-Cares program, while 120 traders across Somolu markets have gotten direct assistance. In addition, Orekoya has facilitated employment opportunities for 29 constituents within the Lagos State public service.

Youth Development: His belief that youth must be prepared, not just empowered, is evident in programs like the -Somolu Youth Assembly -, themed “Onboarding Sustainable Future Leaders,” which exposes young people to mentorship and self-reliance opportunities. He also facilitated the inclusion of two Somolu youths in a Lagos State exchange program in Finland — a rare international exposure for grassroots talent.

The Orekoya Alliance Under-17 Football Competition has become an annual fixture that is drawing attention beyond Somolu. The tournament has attracted international scouts and national recognition, giving football-loving youths a platform to showcase talent and possibly secure professional contracts.

COMPASSION AS POLICY  

Beyond numbers and projects, Orekoya’s style of representation is rooted in accessibility. He runs festival programs across all wards, engaging traditional leaders and community stakeholders at every stage of decision-making. His social welfare interventions — ranging from food items and cash donations to empowerment tools — have reached hundreds of households, especially women and vulnerable groups.

It is this blend of competence and compassion that has earned him the trust of party members and residents alike. Many say he listens before he acts, and acts before he announces.

THE CASE FOR CONTINUITY  

With less than a year to the 2027 elections, calls for Orekoya’s return are growing louder within Somolu APC circles. For many constituents, the argument is straightforward: reward good work with more work. 

“Somolu 1 deserves continuity and stability to enjoy more dividends of democracy,” said one APC chieftain in the constituency. “Orekoya has set a benchmark for what representation should look like. Stopping now would be like pulling down a building halfway.”

That sentiment is resonating across the constituency. Stakeholders argue that changing a performing lawmaker mid-stream often stalls ongoing projects and disrupts momentum. For Orekoya, a second term would mean consolidating the road rehabilitation drive, expanding youth exchange programs, and deepening legislative advocacy at the state level.

A CONSENSUS CANDIDATE IN WAITING  

The APC in Lagos has always valued loyalty, competence, and results. On all three fronts, Orekoya scores high. His background as a former local government executive gives him institutional knowledge. His legislative record gives him credibility in the Assembly. And his grassroots engagement gives him acceptance at the ward level.

That is why the growing demand from Somolu residents and party stakeholders is for the APC leadership to declare Hon. Abiodun Orekoya the consensus candidate for Somolu Constituency 1 ahead of the 2027 primaries. The case is not built on sentiment but on a documented three-year record of impact.

As one resident put it: “The people of Somolu should not think twice about giving Orekoya another mandate. When you find a legislator who works, you keep him.”

In Somolu today, the bar has been raised. And Hon. Abiodun Orekoya set it.