The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Ganiyu Egunjobi, has publicly endorsed Olamilekan Obasa, son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming local council elections scheduled for July 12.

Speaking to journalists, Egunjobi expressed strong support for the younger Obasa's candidacy, stating that he "deserves to succeed me" while dismissing allegations of imposition that have emerged following the party's primaries held on May 10.

"I think the reactions in those quarters where they are shouting 'imposition' is in the character of politicians in our clime," Egunjobi said. "I'm sure if the results had gone their way, they would be lavishing praise on the electoral process. The election committee put up a good show and should be commended, same with the leadership of the party in the state."

Tensions have escalated in Agege and Orile-Agege following protests by some APC members who accused Speaker Obasa of installing loyalists and family members as flagbearers for the upcoming elections. The protesters specifically highlighted the nomination of the Speaker's son, describing it as nepotism.

Egunjobi, however, characterized the protests as a staged display orchestrated by political opportunists seeking to undermine the party's internal processes. "I watched the video of the so-called protest and I was amazed to see those who led it. A political neophyte, who is a charge-and-bail lawyer, anchored it," he stated.

The council chairman further alleged that some disgruntled aspirants, including Sola Osolana and Bukola Sofidiya, had only recently rejoined the party shortly before the primaries and therefore lacked both the moral standing and constitutional backing to vie for the ticket.

"We know some of their paymasters in the persons of a certain serving senator from Ogun State and a three-time House of Assembly member in our area, to mention but a few," he hinted, without naming specific individuals.

Defending the qualifications of Speaker Obasa's son, who is reportedly a PhD student, Egunjobi described him as highly capable and drew parallels with established political dynasties in both Nigeria and the United States.

"This is someone that is well-read, a PhD student for that matter, who has been touching lives in Agege long before now. In fact, he deserves to succeed me," Egunjobi declared. "People blabbing 'imposition' in respect of the Speaker's son's matter are not fair to the young man and Agege."

The Lagos local government elections are scheduled to take place on July 12, with the APC primaries having generated significant controversy across several local government areas in the state.