At the maiden edition of News Central’s Inside Lagos Politics, representatives from various political parties gathered at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja to discuss key issues shaping the political landscape in Lagos.
George Ashiru, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lagos chapter, spoke on party coalitions and the dynamics of political collaboration.
“Politics is about collaborations and alliances,” Ashiru said. “Some parties may choose to collaborate with others for various reasons—perhaps they lack a strong candidate or the funds to run a full campaign. I’m not speaking on their behalf, but it’s important to separate facts from opinions.”
Responding to concerns about the visibility of politicians post-election, he added: “Politics is about electioneering, followed by governance. You can’t keep campaigning when there’s no election. Candidates invest time, money, and media presence during campaigns. Once elections are over and you don’t win, you’re no longer a candidate—you can’t just keep campaigning.”
Ashiru emphasised the need for internal party reforms and a stronger opposition role: “Parties must build proper internal democracy in preparation for the next election. The real focus should be active opposition—holding the ruling party accountable and ensuring they deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”
