A grassroots politician of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Idowu Daramola, has declared his intention to contest for House of Representatives under the Accord Party in Mushin Constituency 1 in Lagos State.

Daramola, who has previously been affiliated with the Action Democratic Party (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the APC, cited marginalisation within APC as a key reason for his defection.

Speaking with The Guardian, Daramola recounted his political journey, highlighting his long-standing grassroots influence.

He noted that he had contested under ACN as far back as 2003 and has consistently played a pivotal role in mobilising support during elections.

“Even in the 2023 election, I led over 5,000 delegates from PDP to APC in the local government,” he said, emphasising his reputation as a grassroots organiser.

He also heads a major political group in Lagos State, known as All4Bats, which actively campaigned for gubernatorial and presidential candidates in previous elections.

Daramola criticised the APC for what he described as a lack of “reward culture” for party loyalists, arguing that years of service and contributions often go unrecognised.

“If you work for a party and see nothing in return, you are left with no choice but to move on,” he said.

He added that his move to Accord Party was intended to awaken the political consciousness of his constituents and provide a platform that genuinely serves grassroots interests.

He further noted that the Accord Party has historically been a significant force in Mushin, citing past successes in the local government as evidence of its entrenched presence.

“Accord is not a small party here. Before APC, the representative was an Accord person,” he said. Daramola believes that, with committed members and grassroots mobilisation, the party can effectively challenge the ruling APC in the upcoming elections.

On his developmental agenda, Daramola promised targeted interventions aimed at improving living standards in his constituency.

“People don’t need millions; sometimes, N100,000 can solve their problems. Constituency funds must reach the grassroots,” he said, highlighting his commitment to transparency and community-focused projects.

Daramola also addressed concerns about potential absenteeism due to his business interests abroad. “This is my home. I eat, sleep, and live here. I will never be an absentee representative,” he assured.

Daramola reaffirmed his commitment to his constituents and stressed that his focus remains on local issues rather than national politics.

“The electorate will decide, and I trust that they will see the difference we are bringing,” he said.

Also speaking, Accord Party’s State Secretary, Charles Kolawole James stated that Daramola’s experience and grassroots engagement make him a strong candidate capable of delivering meaningful change.

“There is nothing that is not possible with determination and commitment,” James added, recalling past successes in Mushin despite limited resources and stiff competition from larger parties.

Addressing concerns about financial constraints, James argued that the party’s platform and organisational structure are key to supporting candidates.

He stressed that Daramola’s connection to the people and active engagement within his community set him apart.

“Platform is very important, and we are offering the platform,” James said, affirming the party’s commitment to ensuring that Daramola’s candidacy gains momentum ahead of the elections.

In 2015, Accord Party produced a House of Representatives member: Dauda Kako-Are (Mushin I constituency), defeating the incumbent APC candidate.