The immediate past Executive Chairman of Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan, popularly known as RIO, has declared his intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Surulere Constituency II.
Olamilekan made the declaration on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at a well-attended event in Surulere, Lagos, drawing supporters, community leaders, youth groups, and political stakeholders who described his move as a transition from grassroots administration to state-level legislative politics.
The former council boss, widely regarded as a grassroots mobiliser and party loyalist, is entering the race with what observers say is a strong record of development-oriented governance during his tenure at the LCDA.
Olamilekan’s administration was marked by initiatives spanning infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education support, and community-based security interventions.
In the health sector, he oversaw the reconstruction of the Orile-Iganmu Primary Healthcare Centre and facilitated medical outreach programmes in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency, providing free healthcare services to underserved residents.
His administration also implemented road construction projects, drainage improvements, and youth empowerment schemes aimed at improving living standards across the council area.
Security and community peacebuilding formed a major part of his governance approach. As Patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (South-West), Olamilekan advocated sustainable funding and maintenance of security infrastructure.
During his tenure, he provided operational vehicles to police formations and institutionalised monthly security meetings involving Divisional Police Officers and community stakeholders.
He also engaged security authorities, including former Lagos Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, to strengthen crime prevention strategies within the LCDA.
Following incidents of unrest in Orile-Iganmu, he convened a stakeholders’ meeting that led to the establishment of a peace taskforce to address recurring clashes in affected communities.
Olamilekan’s administration gained attention during the post-fuel subsidy removal period, when it implemented sustained palliative measures that benefited over 12,000 residents, including youths, widows, and elderly citizens.
The intervention was widely commended for its transparency and inclusiveness.
His contributions to governance and youth inclusion earned him recognition, including induction into the Trek Africa Hall of Fame as Youth Man of the Year, alongside notable public figures such as Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin and Ayo Ogunsan.
Declaring his ambition, Olamilekan pledged to prioritise people-centred legislation focused on infrastructure development, education, and community-based security frameworks.
He said his campaign would be driven by grassroots engagement, policy clarity, and measurable outcomes for constituents.
Political analysts say his entry into the race could significantly influence the contest for Surulere Constituency II as the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum.
