PDP Adopts Diriwari As Consensus Candidate For Ajeromi-Ifelodun Reps Seat In Lagos

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State has endorsed Hon. Dr. Oladipupo Wilson Diriwari as its consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat for Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The endorsement exercise, which took place on Sunday in a calm and organised setting, attracted party executives, delegates, stakeholders, security personnel and supporters. The party reiterated its resolve to reclaim what it described as its “lost political glory” in the constituency.

Addressing participants at the event, the moderator and Chairman of Chair, Hon. Paul West, called for unity and discipline among members as the selection process progressed.

“We are here for serious business. PDP is a party that has room for everyone and we are going to be orderly as we used to be because this is not the first time we are going through this process,” he said.

West acknowledged that although the party has faced national-level challenges, it has continued to endure due to the commitment of its loyal members.

“We thank God that this party continues to strive because it has dedicated people like all of us here today. By all manner of things that have befallen the party, it ought to have died, but PDP still de kampe,” he added.

He further explained that the party’s participation in the upcoming elections was motivated by concerns over worsening national socio-economic and security conditions.

“Our country has almost sunk. We want a country where our aged parents can go to their farms without fear of being kidnapped. Our incoming House of Representatives member must support other lawmakers through legislation that will change the narrative of backwardness in Nigeria,” he stated.

According to him, other aspirants were persuaded to step down in favour of what he described as “the best among the aspirants,” resulting in a consensus arrangement that was unanimously approved by delegates across various wards.

The exercise had observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officers of the Nigeria Police Force, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, as well as South-West PDP representatives led by Engr. Akambi Nurudeen.

Party members collectively backed Dr. Diriwari as the flag bearer, describing him as a competent and experienced figure capable of repositioning the constituency.

The PDP Chairman in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Hon. Kabiru, described the development as the beginning of a fresh chapter for the party.

“PDP is alive and we are determined to regain our lost glory. PDP has a record of excellent performance the last time it occupied the House of Representatives seat in Ajeromi-Ifelodun. We have capable hands and we are not fighting anybody,” he said.

A veteran party leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Olagoke, who has been in the party since 1999, said Diriwari’s emergence signalled a major shift in the constituency’s political direction.

“Some people thought they would reign forever, forgetting that one day it would come to an end. Hon. Diriwari has remained loyal to the party and its leadership, and today God has given him the ticket on a platter,” he said.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Diriwari pledged that his tenure would be different if elected to represent the constituency in the National Assembly.

“I was born and raised in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency. Everybody knows this is a PDP stronghold. I will not go to the House of Representatives to become an ‘I concur’ member, neither will I be a sleeping or docile legislator,” he declared.

The lawyer recalled a past legal confrontation with the Lagos State Government and Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government over plans to convert the only public school in the Tolu area into a housing estate for commercial development.

He explained that the move would have left the community without a nearby public school, forcing children to travel as far as Otto-Awori in Badagry for education.

Dr. Diriwari stated that bulldozers had already been moved to the site during the administration of then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and under the leadership of former council chairman, Prince Rabiu Oluwa.

“The government wanted to use the only public school in Tolu for commercial purposes and build houses to sell. There was no other school in the area and our children were already going as far as Otto-Awori in Badagry for education,” he said.

“I, alongside the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), fought the matter up to the Supreme Court and we won the case against the Lagos State Government.”

He noted that his academic and professional background—holding a PhD in Law from Brunel University, London, and a Master’s degree from Lagos State University—had equipped him for legislative responsibilities.

Dr. Diriwari also said he is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a Solicitor of England and Wales, and a panel member in specialised family and children’s law practice.

Reflecting on his political journey, he said he had participated in politics since the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) era and later moved through several platforms including the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he served as Legal Adviser and a member of the State Central Working Committee.

He also held previous positions as Vice Chairman and Supervisory Councillor overseeing portfolios such as Culture, Sports and Social Development, as well as Health and Environmental Services in Lagos Island Local Government.

According to him, his early loss of his father and the hardships he experienced while growing up shaped his commitment to public service and advocacy for vulnerable people.

“My mother was a primary school teacher, and I understand what hardship means. I know what it means to struggle for food, education and survival. That experience continues to inspire my passion for helping vulnerable people,” he said.

He criticised what he described as ineffective representation by some elected officials, insisting that governance should focus on long-term empowerment rather than short-term gestures.

“Leadership is not about sharing temporary relief items or token amounts of money. It is about empowering people permanently and creating systems that improve their standard of living,” he stated.

Dr. Diriwari expressed optimism that the PDP was rebuilding and strengthening ahead of the 2027 elections despite past internal disputes.

“PDP is one united family. Yes, there were issues in the past, but those challenges are being resolved. What we are seeing now is a new direction and renewed commitment toward rebuilding the party,” he added.

He concluded by expressing confidence that a “wind of change” was already sweeping across the political space, adding that the party was positioning itself for stronger grassroots performance in the next election cycle.

“Our goal is to take over governance at the grassroots and provide leadership that truly serves the people,” he said.