……….Vows to continue and elevate grassroots governance.
Emmanuel lkpeama
A former executive of Zenith Bank,Hon Habeeb Omowunmi Anibaba on Thursday 1,May 2025,formally declared his intention to contest for the chairmanship position of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA),under the All Progressive Congress (APC) party.
The event which had in attendance Party stalwart,community leaders, artisans ethnic groups and members of ‘The Mandate Movement (TMM).’.
Addressing a large crowd of party leaders, supporters, and community members at the Ejigbo Mini Stadium, Ejigbo, Lagos,Hon Anibaba described his decision as “a pledge to serve, to uplift, and to advance the aspirations of the great people of Ejigbo.”
He stated that his desire to vie for the chairmanship position is to continue and elevate the community by taking Ejigbo LCDA from where it is to where it ought to be;a community of vision, empowerment, development and dignity as a reaffirmation of his roots and lifelong commitment to the Ejigbo community, where he has lived for over 30 years.
Anibaba noted that if elected his leadership style would be rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and grassroots-driven development.
“I commit to uphold the trust you have place in me,to listen to your concerns, and to work tirelessly for the development and prosperity of our beloved Ejigbo LCDA. Together,we will build a brighter future, ensuring inclusivity, transparency and accountability in governance,this is my pledge “he vowed
In his speech titled “A Mandate from the People: Acceptance and Commitment”,Anibaba praised the TMM shadow primary held in April 2025 and supporting his candidacy, describing it as a milestone for internal party democracy.
“The shadow primaries of our great caucus, the mandate movement, which took place on Sunday 13,2025, have come and gone”
“However,it has given us a lot to celebrate and brag about. We demonstrated the power of the people guided by a leadership that cherishes democracy and responsibility.
“We showed that shadow primaries can be held without violence, without rancour, without disorder. We showed that in matters of democratic organization and principles, Ejigbo TMM is highly on top of its game”
“To the leaders of our great party, I am ready to serve with honour, loyalty, and discipline. To the Mandate Movement family, thank you for your belief in me. Together, we will light a new torch of hope in Ejigbo,”he stated.
Reflecting on his transition from the private sector to politics, Anibaba said, “I built a successful career at Zenith Bank, where I was trained in excellence, diligence, and accountability. I chose to leave that comfort zone—not out of restlessness, but out of deep conviction… where impact is measured not by profits, but by people’s progress.”
The Chairmanship aspirant who had in time past contested the party primary election for the Chairmanship position in 2017 and was nominated by the TMM group in 2019 to run for House of Representatives but was asked to step down following the instructions of the leaders in the party, opined that he would not just be called Chairman but to be servant leader,an advocate and a voice at the table of governance.
While acknowledging the contributions and efforts of the incumbent Chairman, Alhaji Monsurudeen Oloyede-Bello, he pledged not to discard existing achievements but to build upon them and surpass the achievements of the incumbent chairman.
Speaking Earlier,the former Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, and the leader of TMM,Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan called on APC members to drum support for Anibaba during the party’s primary election coming soon, saying that he is a trusted hand.
Hon Bamigbetan noted that 11 chairmanship aspirants from the Mandate Group took part in the shadow primary exercise and Hon Anibaba emerged as the favourite to vie for the APC primary election to choose a flag-bearer for the party in the forthcoming LG elections.
In his words” The people of Ejigbo who are here today in response to our call,to let you know the latest in our efforts to serve this community”
“You elected me to be your chairman of Ejigbo LCDA in October 2008,I made promises of new school, health center and roads and I thank God that I fulfilled my promise to you,at the end of my tenure l presented my Voice Chairman to you,Hon Bello and l assured you then that he will do wonders in Ejigbo and today his works are speaking for him.
“Thank you for listening to me, today we have come again and we held our shadow primaries,11 chairmanship aspirant contested and the people decided to choose Hon Habeeb Anibaba and we are calling on you to support and pray for our candidate so that he can win the primary and thereafter the main election”
” I am assuring you again that he would do better and to people of Buknor,Hon Anibaba would constuct the fagboyede road,power line road and any other road that is bad in Ejigbo and he would provide more health centers in Ejigbo LCDA, please support him because he would do it right ” he submitted.
Lending their voices, the Councilors representing the six wards in Ejigbo;Ilamoshe,Okeafa,Ifoshi,Fadu,Ailegun and Aigbaka noted that the emergence of Hon Habeeb Anibaba as TMM candidate is a sign of good things to come to the people of Ejigbo LCDA.
Hon Ropo Makindipe, Councilorship aspirant for Aigbaka ward pledge to give priority to youth empowerment under his ward,as he promised to be accountable, accessible and responsive to the needs of the people for the development of the council.
The Councilorship aspirant for Fadu ward,Hon Bello Fatai stated that the development of his ward is the focus of his ambition.
” I am contesting to contribute positively to the laws that will bring about development in my ward which will meet the yearnings of my people, embark on programs for the women and youths so as to take them out of poverty”he said.
Hon Araokanmi Akeem Mukadaa, Councilorship aspirant for Ifoshi ward, disclosed his readiness to serve his people, adding that the love and passion he has for his people motivated him to aspire for the position.
“I can’t promise a lot but l will do my best within my capacity to ensure that my ward is well represented in the governance of Ejigbo”Akeem said.
Hon Raji Abidoye, Councilorship aspirant for Ailegun ward noted that his emergence as the Councilorship aspirant for TMM is a demonstration of love by his people, noting that if elected as the Councilor representing Ailegun ward, empowerment of the people in his ward will be his utmost priority, while pledging to focus on the development of the youths by making them self reliant.
Investigator news reports that different groups which include the Hausa community,the Igbo speaking community and members of the South South region pledge their unalloyed support to the emergence of Hon Habeeb Anibaba as the All Progressive Congress Candidate for the 2025 local government election slated to hold on July 12,2025.
Among the groups who spoke at the event is Ndigbo ethnic group who spoke through the leader of the team,High Chief Odinaka Iwu (Onowu Ndigbo)and Hon Grace Okere(Councilor representing Ifoshi ward),they reaffirm their commitment to the candidacy of Hon Anibaba, pledging their total support to his emergence as the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA.
The Igbo speaking community hinged their support on what they called the tremendous support they received from the incumbent chairman,Hon Bello.
” I can assure you that we members of the lgbo speaking community in Ejigbo LCDA will support you all the way till you emerged as the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA come July 12,2025.”he submitted.
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