In a development that further reshapes the political calculus in Lagos State, Mrs Foluke Osafile, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has formally dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Osafile, who represents Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I, confirmed the defection on Saturday, signalling what she described as a strategic realignment aimed at better serving her constituents. A first-term legislator, she also chairs the House Committee on Wealth Creation, a position that places her at the heart of legislative efforts to stimulate grassroots economic growth.
“Yes, it is true. I have defected to the ADC,” she said, putting to rest speculation over her political future.
The lawmaker justified her decision as a forward-looking move anchored on effective representation and sustainable development. According to her, the switch was informed by the need to deepen engagement with stakeholders and deliver tangible dividends of democracy to her constituency.
She pledged full cooperation with the leadership of the ADC, stressing her commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and amplifying the voices of ordinary Nigerians within the governance process.
“To the people of Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I, my loyalty remains unwavering. Your trust is my guiding principle,” Osafile assured, adding that the defection was taken in good faith to secure a more prosperous future for the area.
Political observers note that her move comes at a delicate time, as parties reposition ahead of future electoral contests, with defections increasingly reflecting broader ideological and strategic considerations rather than mere convenience.
Osafile is expected to formally announce her defection on the floor of the House during plenary in the coming days, a step that will officially record the change in the Assembly’s proceedings.
Elected in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party, Osafile secured a decisive victory over the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Segun Folorunso. Her win, however, was not without controversy, as the APC challenged the outcome at the Election Petition Tribunal, which initially ruled against her.
Demonstrating political resilience and legal resolve, Osafile pursued the matter at the Court of Appeal, where the judgment was overturned and her mandate restored, effectively closing the chapter on the protracted legal battle.
