Political tension is mounting in Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections, following open opposition to the reported fourth-term ambition of the incumbent lawmaker, Babajimi Benson.
Benson, who currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, has represented the constituency since 2015, securing re-election in 2019 and 2023. By 2027, he would have completed 12 consecutive years in office, with a potential fourth term extending his tenure to 16 years.
However, his continued stay in office is now facing resistance from key stakeholders within the constituency.
A civil society organisation, Justice Forum, has publicly rejected the move, stating that opposition to Benson’s ambition is rapidly gaining traction across various segments of the constituency.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group’s Vice Chairman and APC Woman Leader in Igbogbo Bayeku LCDA, Mrs Ibiyemi Sani, said dissatisfaction with the lawmaker’s prolonged tenure is no longer limited to private discussions.
“What began as quiet conversations has now evolved into open discontent among youth groups, community stakeholders, and political observers,” she said. “There is a growing resistance to any attempt to further extend his stay in office.”
According to the statement, many residents believe that extending Benson’s tenure beyond 2027 would undermine democratic principles and limit opportunities for new leaders to emerge.
Stakeholders argue that prolonged representation risks concentrating political power in a single individual, thereby weakening internal democracy and political renewal within the constituency.
The development has also reignited debates around zoning, religious balance, and internal party dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sani referenced a perceived pattern in the constituency’s representation, noting that Abike Dabiri-Erewa held the seat for three consecutive terms from 2003 to 2015 before Benson, a Christian, assumed office and has since maintained a similar tenure trajectory.
Stakeholders, she said, believe such patterns should be respected to ensure fairness and balance.
Calls are also intensifying for a shift in representation to Ikorodu Constituency I, as many argue that Constituency II has dominated recent electoral cycles. Failure to address this imbalance, they warn, could lead to political exclusion.
Within the APC, internal tensions are becoming more pronounced, particularly between influential blocs such as the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group. Both groups have historically played significant roles in candidate selection and grassroots mobilisation, and there are growing demands for equitable power-sharing.
“There is a strong belief that it is now the turn of the Justice Forum to produce a candidate,” the statement added, pointing to years of perceived dominance by the Mandate Group.
The opposition to Benson’s anticipated re-election bid has been building steadily over the past two years, driven by youth groups, political actors, and community leaders advocating for leadership change.
While Benson retains a loyal support base and is widely regarded as an ally of Bola Tinubu, critics argue that extending his tenure further could stifle political competition and limit opportunities for emerging leaders.
As the 2027 elections approach, the situation in Ikorodu is shaping up to be more than a routine political contest. Observers see it as a critical test of the constituency’s commitment to rotation, inclusion, and internal democracy.
Efforts to obtain a response from Benson were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
With divisions deepening within the ruling party, the battle for Ikorodu Federal Constituency is expected to be fiercely contested—both within party ranks and across the broader political landscape.
