Actualization of the people-focused development priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is paramount towards moving Nigeria forward and the National Assembly must play a critical role in this direction, an APC stalwart, Honourable Abdul Raheem Owokoniran has said.
He said their past struggles against military rule and contributions towards the formation of All Progressives Congress (APC) as a populist party will be further justified with policies and processes towards ensuring that every Nigerian lives a good life today with an assurance of a better living tomorrow and the National Assembly must effectively key into that.
Abdul Raheem stated shortly after collecting the APC nomination form for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos state.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Abdul Raheem emphasized that in the struggle to represent the APC in the constituency once represented by Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, he is strongly towards ensuring politics without bitterness as he strives to bring together different groups under the progressive banner in the quest for a resounding victory in the February 3, 2024 election.
“I believe very much in the unity of purpose towards actualizing the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda for the benefit of the people; it was tough for us in battling the military, forming the Alliance for Democracy and transforming from Action Congress of Nigeria, along with other legacy parties, to form APC but the best justification is the realization of our people-focused agenda for the current and future generations,” Abdul Raheem said.
Abdul Raheem Owokoniran had a stint at Sterling Asset Management a subsidiary of Sterling Bank and later in 2010, went on to work in the Freedom House office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequently worked in the Rehoboth House Constituency Office of Senator Oluremi Tinubu for a number of years, where he gained further experience in populist service and deepened his progressive credentials under her tutelage.
The Constituency Office of Senator Oluremi Tinubu offered him a great opportunity to further learn about the focus, human values, rigours, philanthropy, planning, maximisation of resources and other fundamental issues that are germane to populist leadership.
Abdul Raheem contested for Lagos House Assembly party primary in 2010 for the 2011 election and was belatedly prevailed upon to step down for Hon. Kabir Lawal – one of the contestants in the current race.
Again in 2014 primary for 2023 Lagos House Assembly election after rigorous campaigning, he was asked to step down but despite all these, he still maintains a credible reputation as an effective grassroots mobiliser for the APC in Surulere constituency.
Abdulraheem Owokoniran is not just a regular politician; he is an exceptional figure, representing the zenith of political excellence and carrying forward a significant family tradition in the field of politics. His passionate commitment to the people of Surulere, his uncompromising commitment to the progressive cause and his party, APC, his rich political contacts and experience at the very apex of Lagos State politics are all among factors that emphasize his unique and remarkable position as the leading contender for APC’s House of Reps ticket for Surulere 1 Federal constituency.
A thoroughbred politician, born into politics and nurtured in politics by his parents and top political icons in the essence of selfless leadership and progressive politics, Abdulraheem Owokoniran’s contributions to progressive politics predated the formation of the Alliance for Democracy and he has consistently worked for the electoral success of all the progressive parties led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1999.
The son of Alhaja Olaide Agaba, a prominent political heavyweight in Surulere and across Lagos, he has been actively involved in politics since the early 90s, with pragmatic political experience that traversed the Alliance for Democracy AD), Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Indeed, it is a known fact in Surulere Abdul Raheem was a strategic errand boy during the June 12 struggle in Surulere which was a focal point during that era; he began as an alert, trustworthy and dependable courier boy that passed on strategic messages across during the military struggle.
Again he was the youngest boy in Abuja Transcorp-Hilton hotel room when the Alliance for Democracy (AD) was formed; he was sent into the parked room that fateful rainy day on 9th September 1998 (after the debacle of Eagles Square) to observe and give feedback to the Justice Forum Women Leaders of which his mum was one of them.
Very actively involved in all electoral campaigns and political mobilization efforts across various levels since 1999, he is well educated, with an LLB and a Masters degree in Project Management from the UK.
However, he had been implored to sacrifice his political ambition in the past, thereby clearing an easy path for other party members and enhancing party cohesion.
Without doubt, having good education for his first and Master’s degrees helped prepare him for leadership in the digital age but this was further enriched with training in team and leadership skills development to boost his natural flairs for strategic thinking, management and problem-solving.
Focused on humanitarian activities aimed at enabling others realize their God-given potentials, Abdul Raheem who loves politics, football and travelling was Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure from 2019 to 2023.
