2027: APC candidate seeks stronger role for traditional institutions in grassroots governance

2027: APC candidate seeks stronger role for traditional institutions in grassroots governance

Mr Gbenga Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu, an APC candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2027 elections, on Thursday called for stronger roles for traditional institutions in grassroots governance.

Abiola, who is seeking to represent Agege Constituency 01, said traditional institutions should be regarded beyond ceremonial structures and recognised as partners in community development, information gathering and grassroots engagement.

He made the call while speaking on his plans to establish Information and Feedback Boxes in the palaces of all Baales in the constituency.

Abiola said the proximity of Baales to residents placed their palaces in a strategic position to identify community needs and communicate them to government and elected representatives.

According to him, effective representation requires continuous engagement with constituents and should not be limited to election campaigns or promises.

“They are closer to the people. Their gates are always open, and they are often the first responders when members of their communities have challenges.

“We want to build on that trust and create a system where the concerns of the people can move from the community to the representative and, where necessary, to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

Abiola said the proposed Information and Feedback Boxes would provide residents with an accessible channel to submit concerns, suggestions, observations, requests and ideas.

He said the initiative would particularly benefit residents who might not have direct access to political or government offices but needed to communicate issues affecting their communities.

The APC candidate said information obtained through the boxes would help identify recurring challenges and provide insight into residents’ priorities.

He said representation must be centred on listening and responding to the concerns of constituents.

“The people must have a voice, and that voice must reach the representative.

“Representation must go beyond making promises during campaigns. Elected representatives must establish structures that allow residents to communicate with them continuously after elections,” he said.

Abiola said the proposed boxes would complement existing relationships between Baales and residents while providing a structured mechanism for transmitting community concerns.

He said traditional institutions could play a greater role in strengthening communication between communities and government at all levels.

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According to him, the confidence residents already have in traditional leaders made their palaces suitable locations for receiving information and feedback from the grassroots.

Abiola said the initiative formed part of his broader AGBELEBU Agenda, which places the people, service, impact and valuable representation at the centre of governance.

He said the agenda was designed to ensure that representation remained accessible and responsive to the needs of constituents.

The candidate maintained that traditional institutions should be deliberately integrated into community development efforts rather than regarded solely as ceremonial institutions.

“AGBELEBU is about listening, responding and delivering,” he said.

Abiola said the ultimate objective was to build a constituency where communities could communicate their needs more easily and residents would feel connected to their representative.

He said no community should be unheard, no genuine concern ignored and no resident disconnected from the representative elected to serve them.

“We will bring representation closer to the people, because government and representation must never be far from the people they are meant to serve,” he said.

Abiola said stronger collaboration among traditional institutions, residents, elected representatives and government agencies would contribute to effective grassroots governance and community development.