By Pastor Jibola Olarinoye
If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky, and if you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky. ” (S.E. Hinton) This proverb best suits my one and only course-mate friend, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim a.k.a. Omoatitebi.
Let me start my article with another popular adage which says, ‘Show me your friend, and I will tell you whom you are.’ And before I hit the ground running about my friend, let me quickly tell you how I met Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim and what I found so unique and beautiful about him that motivated me to pencil down this article about him and his 2027 House of Assembly aspiration.
I came to know Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, fondly called Omoatitebi, as a course mate via the department of mass communication at the prestigious Lagos State Polytechnic, now Lagos State University of Technology, Ikorodu campus. Honestly then, I told him he would be among those who will rule this country because I saw his footprint then, which connotes leadership style. I know him from many sides and angles, which I will highlight here.
When we were in school, Ajagbe created what we called “The Great Islanders Team”, where he converged all Lagos Island students from the Mass Communication department to champion so many courses in the department.
The Augustino club was another creative initiation of Ajagbe where he personally use his funds to celebrate all course mate that are born in the month of August because he too was born in August, that group has the like of Alhaja Rafiat Gawat, Barr. Tope Azeez, Mrs. Moji Lamidi, Mr. Kola Popson, Mrs. Funke Ogunkua and he will buy them food, snacks, lovely gift and celebrate them after lecture hours with songs and dance.
He was also the vice president of TOURISM CLUB OF NIGERIA, a club I also joined because my friend was the vice president the. and because I love travelling. I quickly used that medium to travel to Ghana without paying a dime courtesy of my lovely friend AJAGBE as the vice president.
It was very clear that AJAGBE was a very strong voice in our department and even throughout the campus in IKORODU; he was the Afobaje (GODFATHER) of our department during our time. He anointed a candidate, and the candidate won the departmental election, our departmental association was called MARSCA, and the name of our president was Anthony.
Anybody who knows AJAGBE today will confirm to you that the Okofaji/ONOLA/Okepopo/Campus/Epetedo/Lafiaji/ rugged fighter blood was running in AJAGBE’s veins; he will confront the cultist on campus not to harass any students and immediately take him or her to their then KEGITE CLUB CHIEF for transformation and protection.
The one that made him popular most on campus was when he initiated K1 THE ULTIMATE FANS CLUB and got approval from the Fuji legend, surprising many on campus. AJAGBE turned the campus from boring to a lively home on a yearly basis; he would invite the king of Fuji music to perform for members of the LEGACY FANS CLUB. To this day, he remains the chairman of the board of trustees and (AFOBAJE/KING MAKER) to that lovely club and still keeps the approval and certificate given to the club by K1 the Ultimate.
Upon all his rugged and social life on campus, AJAGBE does not play with his five times daily prayers; he is a prayer warrior. He puts prayer first in all his actions. Whenever the MSSN and the Tijaniyat Sect are on board, it is the same AJAGBE that I call Afa Teslim, you will see him shouting ‘ALLAH, ALLAH, ALLAH’ with his rosary. The main reason why our friendship remains intact till date is because he respects my religion despite the fact I am a Christian, and I was shocked and surprised the day I saw AJAGBE in a church to attend my wedding ceremony.
Let me round up with this two beautiful incident I cherish most about this dude called AJAGBE that we still share the memoirs was when we where about to go for our one year internship program after our National Diploma (ND) you know student will be begging up and down to secure a space to get enrol, AJAGBE took over 10 of us to veteran broadcaster at LTV8 her name is FEYIKEMI NIYI-OLAYINKA where we all did our (IT) successfully, the woman is still alive today who can testify to that claims, the second one was when we had our normal student Rag-day, some student we make money while some may not due to their introvert behavior, Honestly, AJAGBE is very connected right from his school days, he took us from ikorodu to his hood in Lagos Island, we meet one on one with the CEO BABALAJE MUSIC INDUSTRY who later became the OLUBADAN of IBADAN LAND, in Oyo State, HRM OBA SALIU AKANMU ADETUNJI, LAGOS SOCIALITE ALHAJI MUDASHIRU SHINA ODETUNDE and the current LAGOS NURTW CHAIRMAN Alhaji MUSTAPHA SEGO, they all treated us as an August visitor and not like student upon the rag cloth on us and they all gave us large money, (we won the best rag day team) AJAGBE is the only student of our time that leaves large on campus and has a personal Assistant, till today ABIODUN ALLI still remain loyal to him and still serve as his P.A as they booth still run things together perfectly if you want any favour from AJAGBE quickly then just go through his friend and P.A called Biodun Alli.
Till today, he still maintains a cordial and good relationship with all our course mates; he is the one who created a REUNION WHATSAPP GROUP for our 2026/2027 set to be online, where we engage and share thoughts within ourselves. I don’t know how he got to know all our dates of birth; he will celebrate all of us on our day on the loop, use our pictures as the DP of the loop as part of the celebration and still find time to give us a call and crack jokes with his midi-midi Isale Eko slangs.
I will implore the good people of Lagos Island Constituency ll to embrace such a lovely and creative man based on his tracking records, his creativity, his love for humanity and political power hunger for community services.
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins, a new name is echoing strongly across the streets of Lagos Island — a name many already know, trust, and respect. That name is Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, popularly known worldwide as Omoatitebi.
For years, he has spoken for the people. Now, he is ready to stand for the people. The renowned journalist and publisher of the respected online news platform, Ajagbe has officially joined the race to represent Lagos Island Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
But Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim is not just another aspirant. He is coming with something different. Something fresh. Something Lagos Island truly needs.
#A Fresh Mind for a New Lagos Island
In his own words, Ajagbe Teslim says: “Lagos Island needs fresh minds like me. I am coming with fresh ideas, fresh input, and a new direction for lawmaking and governance.”These are not just campaign words.They are a reflection of his journey.
For years, as a journalist, Ajagbe has been the voice of the people—reporting their struggles, highlighting their concerns, and asking the hard questions. He has seen the gap between government and the grassroots. He has witnessed how policies are made without fully understanding the real problems on the streets of Oko-Faji, CAMPUS, EPETEDO, LAFIAJI and other communities within Lagos Island Constituency. II. Today, he believes it is time to bridge that gap.
He is determined to become the first journalist to represent Lagos Island Constituency ll at the Lagos State House of Assembly – a historic step that would signal a new era of informed, people-centred lawmaking.
“I Will Not Be a Lawmaker Who Forgets His People” One of the strongest messages from Ajagbe’s declaration is his promise of practical representation.
He says clearly: “I won’t be a lawmaker that will just sit down in Alausa and visit my constituents anytime I wish.”
This statement touches the hearts of many voters. For too long, many citizens have complained that elected representatives disappear after elections — only to return during campaign seasons with promises, Ajagbe Teslim says that pattern must end.
He describes the situation as one of the “madness and malady affecting quality governance in Nigeria”. According to him, representation must not be ceremonial. It must be constant, visible, and practical.if elected, he promises: Regular visits to communities, Direct engagement with market women, youths, artisans, and elders, Town hall meetings to listen before acting, Immediate feedback channels between the people and government.
He believes representation should not be about prestige; it should be about presence. A Lawmaker with Integrity and Dignity, in a political environment where controversies sometimes overshadow progress, Ajagbe Teslim has made a strong moral commitment.
He openly declared that if given the mandate:
He will not behave like a tout in the House.
He will not be involved in acts that ridicule Lagos Island, He will not go to the Assembly to cause chaos or disgrace the mandate of the people, he stated that he will not go to “hijack and break the mace” which is symbolic. The mace represents authority and order in legislative chambers. By making this promise, Ajagbe is assuring leaders and constituents that he stands for dignity, discipline, and responsible lawmaking.
He has also pledged loyalty and respect to the leadership of the party and the state, including President Bola Tinubu, (GCFR) and his dashing, charming and eleqant wife Yeye Oluremi Tinubu (OON) promising that his conduct will reflect positively on Lagos Island and the Rulling APC.
For many voters, integrity matters. They want a representative who will speak boldly and act responsibly. Ajagbe Teslim is presenting himself as that balanced leader, Mentorship and Loyalty to Progressive Ideals
Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim proudly acknowledges that Barrister Seyi Tinubu remains his mentor. This mentorship, he says, has shaped his understanding of youths empowerment, grassroots mobilisation, and modern political engagement, through his guidance, he believes he has learned how to combine loyalty to progressive ideals with practical action on the ground the way Barrister Seyi Tinubu has showcase throughout the country with his ongoing and formidable and we’ll accepted City Boys Movement where he later became the Lagos Island City Boy Ambassador!!!
For Lagos Island youths — many of whom are energetic, creative, and politically aware — this connection is a sign that Ajagbe understands the direction the younger generation wants Lagos to move toward.
#On Pupilatity Stand!
AJAGBE is the only candidate in Lagos Island that knows the road to all the GAC members room, he his familiar with their district, local government, ward and zones, he has it off hand and their date of birth and telephone numbers because he derives joy by checking on them from time to time because he was tutoured by most of them, his popularity and socialization did not stop there, thier is no single leader in Lagos Island Constituency ll that Ajagbe has not interviewed in the past, he has dime and wine with them all, that his 2015 APC Almanac sponsored by Former House of Representatives, Hon. Yakub Abiodun Balogun a.k.a Ajo says it all, he knew all the state commissioners one by one and all the state APC Exco from AGEGE to IFAKO Ijaye without no single mistake, coming back to his constituency he has built friends and inlaw within the ten wards in Lagos Island Constituency ll, the chairman and Exco of all the ward had already build strong tight with him and all the ward members because they are almost his followers on Facebook who find time to read his interesting political and sport stories.
#Massive Endorsements from Media and Professional Bodies
Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim’s aspiration has not gone unnoticed. Major professional bodies in the media space have shown support for his ambition because they believe in his dream and vision.Among those endorsing him are: The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Guild of Editors (GOE), The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Federation of Ibile Broadcast Association of Nigeria (FIBAN)
These endorsements are significant, They show that professionals who understand public communication and accountability trust him to carry the voice of the people into the Assembly.
For voters, this is reassuring. It means Ajagbe is not standing alone. He carries with him the credibility of respected institutions.
#Why a Journalist in the House Matters
Some may ask, ‘Why does it matter that he is a journalist?’ The answer is simple. A journalist is trained to: Listen carefully, Ask critical questions, Investigate issues deeply, Speak truth to power and Communicate clearly, Imagine such skills inside the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Ajagbe Teslim understands how policies affect ordinary people because he has reported those effects for years. He has covered stories about unemployment, market demolitions, environmental issues, youth struggles, and business challenges, He has seen tears. He has heard frustration. He has documented hope. Now, he wants to move from reporting problems to solving them. A Promise of Practical Representation.
#Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim says his representation system will be totally practical.
This means:
He will align closely with his people.
He will frequently visit communities, not just during elections, He will identify where government intervention is needed. He will push for laws that directly improve daily life, From infrastructure to youth empowerment, from small business support to educational development, he believes Lagos Island deserves a representative who is physically and emotionally connected to the people.
He says: “My representation would give a great facelift to lawmaking in Lagos State.” That facelift, according to him, is about making laws that are not only written in Alausa but also felt in the streets of Lagos Island.
#Emotional Connection with the People
Politics is not only about policies; it is about people. Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim is a son of the soil. He understands the culture, traditions, and aspirations of Islanders, He knows the importance of community unity, He knows the pride of the people.
He speaks not as a distant politician but as one of them.
He shares their daily realities — the traffic, the economic pressures, and the dreams of better schools, better healthcare, and better opportunities for their children.
When he says he wants change, it does not sound abstract. It sounds personal.
#A Call to Leaders and Constituents
Ajagbe Teslim has respectfully pleaded with party leaders, elders, and constituents to give him the opportunity to serve, He believes that 2027 presents Lagos Island with a choice; Continue with the old ways, or embrace a fresh beginning. He is not campaigning with insults or bitterness, instead, he is presenting himself as a refined alternative — disciplined, experienced, connected, and forward-thinking.
He wants to make history as the first journalist to represent Lagos Island in the Assembly — not for personal glory, but to prove that governance can benefit from professional expertise and grassroots experience.
The 2027 Decision: A Moment of Destiny
As the 2027 elections approach, the people of Lagos Island Constituency II will decide who speaks for them at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim is offering the following:
Fresh ideas
Responsible conduct
Practical representation
Youthful energy
Deep grassroots connection
Loyalty to progressive leadership
Commitment to integrity
He is asking voters to believe that lawmaking can be different.
He is asking them to imagine an assembly where their representative is constantly among them — listening, learning, and fighting for their needs, He is asking them to trust that change is possible.
#Conclusion: The Voice That Wants to Become Your Vote
For years, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim has used his pen and platform to amplify the voices of others. In 2027, he is asking Lagos Island to amplify his voice – not for himself, but for collective progress.
His journey from newsroom to lawmaking ambition is a bold one, But boldness is often what change requires, Lagos Island has always been known as a place of history, commerce, culture, and political relevance. Now, it stands at another important moment.
Will it choose an experience shaped by the streets?
Will it choose a man that leaves and dime with you
Will it choose a fresh mind with practical ideas?
Will it choose a journalist who has listened for years and now wants to act?
#The question begging for an answer now is that Are the good people of Lagos Island Constituency ll ready for a fresh voice in 2027? A creative mind, a fresh idea, a bold idea and a servant leader per excellent?
If yes? they choose, vote and support Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim a.k.a Omoatitebi.
*Pastor Jibola Olarinoye, a journalist and Political Analyst writes from Ikorodu, Lagos.
