Ajeromi/Ifelodun 2027: OmoBarca emerges consensus candidate as Egbayelo withdraws

Michael Olumide

A major political development has reshaped the race for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives ticket in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, following the withdrawal of frontline aspirant, Hon. Oladele Egbayelo, in favour of Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known as OmoBarca.

The dramatic move comes barely hours before the party’s primary election scheduled for Friday, May 29, 2026, and is already being interpreted by party faithful and political observers as a strategic step toward unity and consensus within the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Hon. Egbayelo formally announced his withdrawal in an official letter dated May 26, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the NDC Primary Election Committee in Lagos State.

In the letter, Egbayelo stated that he had voluntarily stepped down from the race for the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency House of Representatives ticket after extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.

According to him, the decision was taken in the overall interest of the party and to strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the forthcoming elections.

He subsequently endorsed Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known across the constituency as OmoBarca, as the party’s preferred aspirant for the seat.

Egbayelo stressed that the decision was made willingly and without any form of coercion, intimidation, or pressure, adding that his priority remained the unity, stability, and electoral success of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The former aspirant also disclosed that he had accepted the party’s decision for him to contest for the Apapa Federal Constituency seat under the NDC platform.

Part of the letter read: “I, Hon. Oladele Egbayelo, hereby formally notify the Primary Election Committee of my voluntary withdrawal as an aspirant for the House of Representatives primary election in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

“Consequently, I have agreed to step down in favour of Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima as the party’s aspirant for Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency.”

Egbayelo further urged the party leadership and the electoral committee to officially recognise and implement the withdrawal and substitution in line with the Electoral Act, the constitution of the NDC, and the party’s guidelines governing primary elections.

The development has now effectively positioned OmoBarca as the consensus candidate for the Ajeromi/Ifelodun House of Representatives primary election, significantly reducing the likelihood of internal contest within the party.

Reacting to the development, OmoBarca welcomed Egbayelo’s decision and described it as a courageous and commendable sacrifice made in the spirit of peace, unity, and collective progress for the people of Ajeromi/Ifelodun.

He praised Egbayelo for demonstrating political maturity and commitment to the broader vision of building a formidable platform capable of delivering quality representation and development to the constituency.

According to OmoBarca, the consensus arrangement reflects the growing unity within the NDC and the readiness of party stakeholders to place collective interest above personal ambition.

“This is a welcome development in the spirit of peace, unity, and progress of Ajeromi/Ifelodun,” OmoBarca stated.

He assured supporters and residents of the constituency that he would continue to work closely with Egbayelo and other stakeholders to strengthen the party and advance the interests of the people.
OmoBarca added that the focus should now shift toward building a united political structure capable of addressing the pressing needs of constituents through effective representation, empowerment initiatives, youth development programmes, and community-based interventions.

Political observers in Lagos State have described the latest development as a major boost for the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that the emergence of a consensus candidate could help the party avoid internal divisions and consolidate grassroots support within the constituency.

Many party supporters believe the endorsement further strengthens OmoBarca’s political standing in Ajeromi/Ifelodun, where he has continued to gain popularity due to his extensive humanitarian and grassroots activities.

Over the years, OmoBarca has become widely known within the constituency for supporting indigent residents, paying school fees for students, assisting widows and vulnerable persons, empowering youths and traders, and sponsoring religious pilgrimages for both Muslims and Christians.

Supporters argue that these interventions have endeared him to many residents and positioned him as a strong contender ahead of the general elections.

With the NDC primary election set to hold on Friday, political attention has now shifted to Ajeromi/Ifelodun as party faithful await what many expect to be a smooth and largely uncontested exercise following the consensus arrangement among leading aspirants.

The latest political alignment is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the NDC’s strategy and electoral fortunes in the constituency as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.