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A coalition of professionals, academics, and community leaders under the umbrella of INDIGENE has officially endorsed the re-election bid of Jimi Benson for a fourth term in the House of Representatives, citing the urgent developmental needs of Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
The group, which comprises influential voices across the six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu, announced its position on May 11, 2026, after what it described as extensive consultations and deliberations.
In a statement signed by Adeleke Aroyewun, the co-cordinator, the group stressed that sustained and strategic representation at the federal level is necessary to address these growing challenges and align Ikorodu’s development with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the group, Ikorodu is currently witnessing rapid population growth, with estimates placing the population at over 1.2 million in 2026 and an annual growth rate exceeding four percent. INDIGENE noted that the demographic expansion has intensified pressure on critical sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and other social amenities.
“The current political temperature of Lagos dictates that this is not the time for Ikorodu to experiment with its hope for rapid development,” the statement read. “Our collective interest, encapsulated in the ‘Ikorodu First’ project, must transcend individual ambitions and partisan considerations.”
While acknowledging the constitutional rights of other aspirants to contest elective positions, INDIGENE appealed to them to support Benson’s re-election in the interest of unity and continuity of development in the constituency.
The group argued that Benson’s status as a ranking lawmaker places him in a strategic position to attract more federal projects and influence policies beneficial to Ikorodu. It also highlighted his committee leadership roles and access to key legislative resources as advantages that should not be overlooked.
INDIGENE further pointed to Benson’s legislative record, noting that he has sponsored 58 bills, with five already signed into law by the Presidency. Among the laws cited were the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Amendment) Act, the Electricity (Amendment) Act 2023, and the Constitutional Amendment Act on Railways.
According to the group, the laws directly address national and local developmental concerns, particularly in infrastructure, industrial growth, energy, and transportation.
The statement also referenced constituency projects facilitated by the lawmaker, including the construction of 29 classroom buildings across schools in Ikorodu and the commencement of several road projects aimed at improving transportation within the constituency.
INDIGENE called on political leaders, traditional rulers, and stakeholders in Ikorodu to embrace the “Ikorodu First” agenda by supporting efforts geared towards sustaining developmental progress in the area.
The group also urged Benson to continue collaborating closely with the senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District to ensure greater democratic dividends for the people of Ikorodu.
