An Abuja-based businessman, Mr. Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, on Saturday declared his intention to contest the Lagos State governorship primaries under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jim-Kamal, during his declaration before loyalists and leaders of Dynamic Group, a political movement, said it was the turn of Lagos indigenes to take leadership of the state.

The businessman said he was offering himself to serve the state diligently and take it to greater heights.

He said: “I have come down to serve my people. Everybody seated here can bear me witness that the Aworis (the core owners of Lagos State) have been marginalised in the state.

“That has been our view all this while, but we have had to be diplomatic in our approach.

“Now, we are out to take what belongs to us, and we shall get it by the grace of God. We have what it takes; we have the people. Aworis control 16 out of the 20 local government areas in the state.

“We are determined, but we will respect every view in the state. As the 2027 general elections draw closer, we are mapping out strategies to occupy positions of interest.”

Jim-Kamal, who noted that he was born in Isheri Oke, now Ikosi-Isheri, said his declaration was a response to calls from the original owners of the state.

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He said his political career started in 1988 when he became the youngest chairmanship candidate in Ikeja Local Government, now divided into Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Alimosho and Ikeja.

He also recalled how he became one of the youngest governorship aspirants in 1999, adding that he was asked to step down by leaders such as the late Chief Abraham Adesanya, Alhaji Ganiyu Daodu and the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Jim-Kamal dismissed reports of an APC consensus agreement to field Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The aspirant noted that the party leadership had agreed on direct primaries in the absence of an all-inclusive consensus.