ADC Ikeja Candidate, Akinde, Promises Vocational Centres, Affordable Housing, As Lagos Women March For Atiku/Amaechi

By MainFocus News Correspondent

The Ikeja Federal Constituency candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the House of Representatives, Hon. Oluseyi Akinde, has promised vocational support, affordable housing and greater women participation in governance if he clinches victory at the 2027 general elections.

Akinde made the promise on Wednesday during the ADC Women Lagos Solidarity Walk in Ikeja, a rally well attended by female party supporters and convened by Alhaja Bolanle Jafojo to mobilise support for the party’s presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking with MainFocus News at the event, Akinde said the party had developed programmes aimed at addressing economic hardship and creating opportunities for young people in Ikeja.

Vocational Centres Across 10 Wards

According to him, the party plans to establish vocational training centres across Ikeja’s 10 wards, where young people would acquire practical skills such as tailoring, tiling, hairdressing, catering and other trades, while also having access to equipment to support their transition into employment and entrepreneurship.

He described youth unemployment as a time bomb, arguing that the absence of opportunities had left many young people without clear economic prospects. We are not just going to train them. Equipment is available for them to use when they get a job, Akinde said, adding that the initiative would provide beneficiaries with practical support beyond skills acquisition.

He also proposed the establishment of technology hubs in Ikeja through partnerships with the private sector, saying the initiative would encourage young people to build businesses capable of competing in the technology industry.

100,000 Affordable Houses

On housing, Akinde said the party intended to construct about 100,000 affordable housing units across Lagos State, building on the housing legacy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

He further promised to pursue measures to regulate rent increases and address rising housing costs facing residents of the area.

Women At The Centre

Akinde identified women as a central component of his proposed agenda, promising initiatives to improve access to healthcare, support women’s businesses and increase their involvement in political decision-making.

He said his plans would also accommodate elderly women and younger women, while aligning with the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s proposed 35 per cent women’s participation in political appointments and governance.

Hardship Must End – Mama Jafojo

Earlier, the Convener of ADC Women Lagos, Alhaja Bolanle Jafojo, told MainFocus News that women are the most affected by the removal of fuel subsidy. Before this administration, if our husband gave us 10k to buy foodstuffs in the market, we used to buy enough. But now, 10k is not enough to make a pot of soup, she said.

Our women cannot afford to take children out anymore. Even to buy them ice-cream at Shoprite is now a big problem. Feeding is a big challenge of every average home.

Mama Jafojo advised women not to take money from bad politicians who will trade their future with money during elections, and encouraged women in Lagos State to come out in 2027 and vote ADC at all levels. With the current situation of things in the country, ADC is the only party that can rescue Nigerians from the hands of APC, she said.

When ADC takes over power come 2027, I want the ADC Governorship to take good care of our women differently, not the kind of gas, POS or rice empowerment that APC administration is giving out. In ADC, we don’t want gas, we want real jobs. Our women need cooperative empowerment.

The State Youth Leader, who also spoke at the event, expressed excitement at the turnout, thanking Almighty Allah for the success. To bring people together is not an easy task. We are still expecting more people from Ikorodu, Ajeromi, Ifako-Ijaiye and other areas. Some of our candidates too will be here very soon to participate, she said.

As the walk moved through Ikeja, women carried placards reading Hardship Must End! Atiku Is Coming! and Lagos Women Say YES to Atiku/Amaechi 2027! while residents watched and collected handbills.

For MainFocus News, the message from Ikeja was clear: Lagos women are mobilising, and hardship must end.

MainFocus News – Delivering trustworthy news since 2014 as MainFocus Magazine.