Lagos — As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos grapples with the exit of prominent figures like former governorship candidate Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor), who returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Funso Doherty, who recently resigned from the PDP citing internal crises and has since declared interest in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform, a new voice is gaining traction within the opposition.
Prince Adelaja Adeoye, popularly known as Laja Adeoye, is positioning himself as a leading gubernatorial aspirant for the PDP ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election. Supporters, including the Lagos Youth Movement, have described him as a potential rallying point for opposition forces and disillusioned residents seeking an alternative to the long-ruling APC.
Adeoye, a serial entrepreneur and real estate developer with deep roots in Lagos, has been actively engaging PDP stakeholders. In recent weeks, he met with the Forum of Lagos PDP Local Government Chairmen, the State Working Committee, and other party leaders, including Chief Olabode George, to outline his vision and consolidate grassroots support. Several groups, such as the Lagos For Prosperity Group (LPG), have already endorsed him, hailing his potential to challenge APC dominance.
In a statement reflecting the sentiment of his backers, Adeoye is presented as a "homegrown Lagosian" with a strong personal brand that appeals across business and community lines. Proponents argue he brings proven competence, execution capacity at scale, and a clean record untainted by the corruption often associated with Lagos politics. They contrast this with what they describe as the APC's "autopilot" governance, marked by persistent challenges like traffic congestion, power outages, flooding, and limited opportunities for young people.
Central to Adeoye's emerging platform is the **Better Lagos Agenda 2027 – Àtunto Èkó 1.0 (Re-Engineering Lagos for Inclusive Prosperity)**. The blueprint focuses on several key pillars:
- **Reliable Power and Emergency Response**: Independent power projects, renewable energy initiatives, and fully equipped emergency centres in all 20 Local Government Areas to tackle blackouts and improve rapid response to floods, accidents, and health crises.
- **Affordable Housing Revolution**: Leveraging his real estate expertise to deliver mass low- and middle-income housing, reintegrate displaced indigenes, and address slum conditions and flooding.
- **Economic Diversification and Job Creation**: Development of tech hubs, SME support, tourism, ocean economy, agriculture, and industrial clusters to generate sustainable employment and reduce the cost of living through local production and streamlined taxation.
- **Education, Healthcare, and Civil Service Reform**: Upgraded schools and hospitals, alongside a motivated civil service, to provide equal opportunities and dignified care, particularly for the elderly.
- **Security, Environment, and Local Governance**: Strengthened safety measures, sustainable waste management, and greater autonomy for local governments to bring governance closer to the people.
Adeoye's supporters emphasize the need for strategic unity among opposition parties and civil society groups, including through platforms like the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). They warn against infiltration and "staged candidates," urging vigilance to avoid past setbacks, such as the fragmentation seen in the 2023 elections. The message is clear: 2027 offers an opportunity to end what they call "imposed leadership" by cabals and deliver a "direct, personal contract" between government and citizens.
Described as youthful, energetic, and youth-friendly, Adeoye is said to prioritize massive youth participation in governance, innovation, and decision-making. Backers believe he represents a fresh alternative capable of galvanizing broad support from market women, traders, students, retirees, and professionals across Lagos divisions — from Oshodi and Agege to Ajegunle and Epe.
While the PDP continues its internal processes and other opposition figures explore different platforms, Adeoye's consultations and policy unveiling signal an intensifying race for Alausa. Whether he can unify a fractured opposition and translate endorsements into electoral momentum remains to be seen as political realignments continue ahead of 2027.
The APC has held the Lagos governorship since the return to civilian rule in 1999, and any credible challenge would require significant cross-party and grassroots mobilization. Adeoye and his team have vowed to make the race competitive, promising accountable, transparent, and people-focused governance if given the mandate.
