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By Sunday Ani
Dr Oladipupo Wilson Diriwari has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) consensus candidate to represent Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.
The ratification of his candidacy took place on Sunday in the presence of party leaders, delegates, stakeholders, security observers and supporters. Speaking at the event, Paul West urged members to remain peaceful and united throughout the process. “We are here for serious business. The PDP is a party that has room for everyone and we are going to be orderly as we used to be because this is not the first time we are going through this process,” he said.
West noted that despite the challenges confronting the PDP nationally, the party had remained standing because of the loyalty and commitment of its members.
“We thank God that this party continues to strive because it has dedicated people like all of us here today. By all manner of things that have befallen the party, it ought to have died, but it still ‘dey kampe,” he added.
According to him, the party’s decision to participate in the forthcoming elections was driven by the need to address worsening socio-economic and security conditions in the country.
“Our country has almost sunk. We want a country where our aged parents can go to their farms without fear of being kidnapped. Our incoming House of Representatives member must support other lawmakers through legislation that will change the narrative of backwardness in Nigeria,” he stated.
He disclosed that party leaders had prevailed on other aspirants to step down in support of what he described as “the best among the aspirants,” leading to the consensus arrangement ratified by delegates across the wards. The exercise was witnessed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) from Ajeromi-Ifelodun, as well as South-West PDP leaders led by Akambi Nurudeen. Party members unanimously endorsed Dr. Diriwari as PDP’s flag-bearer, describing him as a credible and experienced candidate capable of repositioning the constituency.
Ajeromi-Ifelodun PDP chairman, Kabiru, described the exercise as a new beginning for the party.
“PDP is alive and we are determined to regain our lost glory. It has a record of excellent performance the last time it occupied the House of Representative seat in Ajeromi-Ifelodun. We have capable hands and we are not fighting anybody,” he said.
Also speaking, a party leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Olagoke, said the emergence of Diriwari marked a turning point in the constituency’s political history.
“Some people thought they would reign forever, forgetting that one day, it would come to an end. Diriwari has remained loyal to the party and its leadership, and today, God has given him the ticket on a platter,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Diriwari declared: “It will not be business as usual if I am elected to represent the constituency at the National Assembly.
“I was born and raised in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency. Everybody knows that this is a PDP stronghold in Lagos. I will not go to the House of Representatives to become an ‘I concur’ member, neither will I be a sleeping or docile legislator,” he declared.
The legal practitioner and politician recalled his legal battle against the Lagos State Government and Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local
Government over an attempt to convert the only public school in the Tolu area into a housing estate for commercial purposes.
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According to him, the government had planned to demolish the school, despite the absence of another public school in the area, forcing many children to travel as far as Otto-Awori in Badagry for education.
He said bulldozers had already been deployed to the site during the administration of then Governor Bola Tinubu and the tenure of former council chairman, Prince Rabiu Oluwa.
“The government wanted to use the only public school in Tolu for commercial purposes and build houses to sell. There was no other school in the area and our children were already going as far as Otto-Awori in Badagry for education.
“I, alongside the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), fought the matter up to the Supreme Court and we won the case against the Lagos State Government,” he stated.
Diriwari, who holds a doctorate in law from Brunel University, London and a Master’s degree from Lagos State University, said his years of legal practice and public service had prepared him for effective representation.
Tracing his political journey, he said he had been involved in politics since the era of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and later became active in the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action
Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he served as legal adviser and member of the state central working committee.
He also recalled serving as vice chairman and supervisory councillor in different capacities, including culture, sports and social development, as well as health and environmental services in Lagos Island Local Government Area.
According to him, his difficult upbringing after losing his father at a young age shaped his passion for helping vulnerable people and struggling families.
“My mother was a primary school teacher and I understand what hardship means. I know what it means to struggle for food, education and survival. That experience continues to inspire my passion for helping vulnerable people,” he said.
He criticised what he described as poor representation and lack of measurable impact by some elected officials, insisting that governance must focus on sustainable empowerment and improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians.
“Leadership is not about sharing temporary relief items or token amounts of money. It is about empowering people permanently and creating systems that improve their standard of living,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the PDP was regaining strength and unity ahead of the 2027 elections, despite previous internal crises within the party.
“PDP is one united family. Yes, there were issues in the past, but those challenges are being resolved. What we are seeing now is a new direction and renewed commitment toward rebuilding the party,” he added.
He further declared that the wind of change was already blowing across the political landscape, expressing optimism that the party would perform strongly in the next general elections.
“Our goal is to take over governance at the grassroots and provide leadership that truly serves the people,” he said.
