Lagos group launches UK diaspora chapter to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election

The Lagos Grassroots Alliance (LGA), a political group, has launched its diaspora chapter in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom (UK), as part of efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking at the event, Owolabi Falana, founder of the group, emphasised the importance of identifying critical stakeholders, understanding electoral trends, and strengthening grassroots political engagement.

Reviewing electoral development in Lagos across successive election cycles since 2003, Falana examined shifts in the party’s electoral performance and the lessons the trends offer for future political organisation.

He also highlighted the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination, stakeholder relations, and sustained community engagement, stressing the need to understand local dynamics and translate strategic analysis into practical grassroots activities.

Babatunde Doherty, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) UK chapter, administered the inauguration of the group’s diaspora executives.

The event brought together political leaders, party stakeholders, campaign representatives, and members of the Nigerian community in the UK.

Among those present were Asipa Doyin Banjo, financial secretary of the APC in Lagos state; Doherty; Kappo Samuel, senior special assistant to the governor of Lagos on students’ union affairs – tertiary education and member of the LGA board of trustees; and Duro Adeboye, member of the education directorate of the PBAT/KOH campaign council.

The newly inaugurated executives include Adedamola Rotimi Oladini-Cole, diaspora coordinator; Sunkanmi Onafowokan, deputy diaspora coordinator; Olarewaju Toheeb Lawal, UK coordinator; Oluwaseyi Jonathan Arewa, diaspora secretary; Omolola Atilola Okuyiga, publicity secretary and spokesperson; and Olanrewaju Lukman Akanbi, diaspora technology, infrastructure and security lead.

The new leadership structure is expected to coordinate the chapter’s activities, strengthen communication among members, and advance the alliance’s objectives within the diaspora community.

Its responsibility will include organising programmes, engaging stakeholders, managing communication, technology and coordinating grassroots mobilisation.

The programme also featured a declaration of support for Tinubu’s second-term bid and endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos APC governorship candidate.

Participants discussed the importance of sustained engagement with communities and stakeholders across Lagos. They also expressed hope that Nigerians in the diaspora would eventually be able to vote in Nigerian elections from their countries of residence, describing voting as an aspiration for democratic participation.

Following the inauguration in Milton Keynes, the group moved its engagement to Birmingham, where the delegation was welcomed by a large turnout of Nigerians from across England and Scotland.(TheCable)