Prince Adelaja Adeoye, popularly known as Laja Adeoye, a prominent PDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State, has thrown his weight behind the massive opposition protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, urging Nigerians to firmly resist any attempt to drift toward a one-party state.
Adeoye, a real estate entrepreneur and President of the Laja Adeoye Foundation (LAF), issued the statement on Wednesday while reacting to the large-scale #OccupyINEC demonstration. The protest drew leading opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and many others.
Protesters accused INEC of partisan actions that undermine opposition parties, particularly in its handling of leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He stressed that a vibrant multi-party democracy remains essential to the principles of choice, accountability, and responsive governance that Nigeria’s founding fathers envisioned when the country returned to civilian rule in 1999.
“Recent developments, including the gale of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which now controls 31 out of 36 states and perceived selective decisions by INEC, raise serious concerns about a deliberate push toward one-party dominance,” Adeoye said.
He called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to ensure his name is written in gold by upholding the rule of law, remaining impartial, and refusing to be used as a tool to enthrone a one-party state or undermine democratic processes ahead of the 2027 elections.
“What we are witnessing today is unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history, opposition parties being thrown into disarray apparently to clear the path for one individual or party to dominate indefinitely. This only confirms the ruling party’s fear of facing the electorate in free and fair contests,” he added.
Adeoye emphasised that INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary must remain strictly professional and neutral during the 2027 electoral cycle. “A multi-party system empowers Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear or favour. It deepens the democratic ideals upon which our republic was founded. For this to work, INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary must discharge their duties with utmost impartiality,” he stated.
The PDP front-runner in Lagos confirmed that his governorship bid continues to enjoy strong endorsements from various groups, including the Lagos for Prosperity Group (LPG), key organs of the PDP, other opposition parties and ordinary Lagosians. He said his popularity has also attracted support from PDP members across the country.
Adeoye advocated for a broad coalition of opposition forces to defeat the ruling party and deliver the change that Nigerians desire. He warned that any deployment of state institutions to suppress opposition voices would be unconstitutional and would provoke strong resistance from citizens, civil society organisations, and the international community. Describing the current APC-led federal government as disappointing, Adeoye noted that its economic policies have worsened the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
He criticised what he described as “state capture” tactics aimed at weakening opposition parties through the back door in order to achieve one-party control.
On his vision for Lagos, Adeoye pledged transformative and inclusive governance drawn from his private-sector experience as a media strategist, thought leader, and real estate developer. He promised to move beyond selective projects to deliver inclusive prosperity for all residents, regardless of class or location.
His three-point agenda prioritises education, healthcare, and security as foundational pillars. He also committed to revolutionising affordable housing through robust public-private partnerships (PPPs) to tackle the severe shortage affecting millions of Lagosians.
Economically, Adeoye plans to aggressively diversify the state beyond oil revenue sharing (FAAC) by promoting entrepreneurship, technology hubs, SMEs, tourism, the ocean economy, agriculture, and industrial clusters. These efforts, he said, would create millions of sustainable jobs, especially for youth, women, and underserved communities.
He further promised urgent investments in transportation infrastructure, including expanded rail networks and modernised Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to ease chronic traffic congestion. Environmental sustainability, transparent governance, grassroots engagement, and a business-friendly environment would form the bedrock of his administration, attracting investment and fostering innovation.
Adeoye’s strong endorsement of today’s protest underscores growing opposition unity against perceived threats to multi-party democracy as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
