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With a bye-election underway in less than 90 days to fill the vacuum created by the demise of Senator Bayo Osinowo representing Lagos East Senatorial District, the most visible opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, is not leaving any stone unturned. Considering the retinue of candidates the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is putting forward, PDP would need to put its best foot forward or suffer what can be regarded as a second chance defeat.
Not only do PDP need to seamlessly adapt to address the emerging challenges it is facing as an opposition party in Lagos State, the Senatorial election provides a good testing ground for the Adedeji Doherty led PDP in the centre of excellence to prove itself.
BlackBox Nigeria brings you 5 potential flag bearers for PDP in the coming election;
1. Yeye Adenike Shobajo
She is the immediate past Vice President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Managing Director of AS+A, a communication, public relations and events management outfit.
She is a seasoned public relations expert with a wealth of experience in the corporate terrain. She contested for the Senate in 2003 and 2007 before contesting for House of Representatives in 2011. Yeye Shobajo can be regarded as one if the founding members of People Democratic Party (PDP) because she has been with the party since 1998 when she served as PR consultant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo who just came out from prison.
Even PDP is concerned about honouring loyalty, Yeye Shobajo should ace the PDP ticket without hassle, a graduate of University of Clermont, School of Modern European Languages, Vichy Campus, France, She is proficient in English, French, Hausa and Yoruba.
On like other candidates who are still undecided, Shobajo has commenced her campaign on social media not wanting to lose a day from the 90-Day INEC will provide
2. Princess Abiodun Oyefusi,
Princess Abiodun Oyefusi is the daughter of the late Ayangburen of Ikorodu – Oba S.A.A Oyefusi (CON), Oguntade II. Born in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Attended Mate Nursery and Primary School, Ketu, Kosofe Lagos and Government College Ikorodu, Lagos State, before proceeding to the United Kingdom.
A sound educational background, unsullied sense of integrity and responsibility, professional work ethos and a visionary with a keen sense for development have created an astute technocrat, entrepreneur and a philanthropist with over 25 years of management experience. She contested against Osinowo in the last election but lost. Since the election, she has been off the political radar. Would she make a comeback? Only time will tell, but she has a good chance being from Ikorodu who are clamouring for the ticket.
3. Prince Wasiu Elemoro
Relatively young, Prince Wasiu Elemoro is an astute businessman, philanthropist, property merchant and the Oluomo of Iwerekun Ibeju. He is no novice to politics as he contested for the House of Representatives in Ibeju-Lekki at the 2019 where he made a good showing.
A PDP party ticket to Prince Elemoro will galvanize the interest of Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency particularly when APC refuses to return Senator Baheeru Ashafa.
4. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi
Arguably the most vibrant, experienced, engaging and ready amongst the candidates showing interest in the Lagos East Senatorial District ticket, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi if he chooses to contest is a candidate to beat. A founding member of PDP, Governorship Aspirant for Lagos State in 2015 and Governorship candidate in 2019 under a different political party, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi ( BOG ) can give APC a run for their money in the bye-election.
Born in England, United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria to spend his childhood, BOG attended Government College Eric Moore Road, Government College Victoria Island and Government College Ikorodu. He was at a point in his adult life a student of Law at the Lagos State University before returning to the UK.
Today BOG is a successful property merchant and Chairman of the prestigious Amen Estate and Redbrick Homes International Ltd, located in Eleko Beach in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos.
Amongst the candidates that contested in the 2019 elections, BOG seems to be the lone voice calling out the ruling party to be accountable. If given the ticket, the Ikorodu born politician has advantage living in Ibeju-Lekki axis of the State while being an indigene of Ikorodu and above all, he is leading the campaign for true Lagosians to be representatives of their people.
5. Hassan Olusola Sherifat
A seasoned politician, Sherifat Olusola Hassan (SOH) is not new to grassroots politics and mobilisation. She contested for the House of Representatives in Kosofe Federal Constituency first in 2015 and again in 2019.
With over half a decade of practising competitive politics, SOH is well positioned to the Senatorial seat and may enjoy the sentiment of female votes since no female has ever represented the Lagos East Senatorial District.
