By Debo Omilani | May 4, 2026
On May 1, as Lagos joined the rest of the world to mark Workers’ Day, Mushin told a different story one not driven by labour speeches or ceremonial parades, but by something far more organic: public insistence.
Under a blazing afternoon sun, elderly residents stepped out alongside traders, artisans, youths, and families. It was not a protest. It was not a rally in the traditional political sense. It was a collective appeal urgent, emotional, and unmistakably clear: “We want you back.” At the centre of this rare civic convergence was Hon. Prince Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as OSMAK, “The Game Changer.” His official declaration to contest the 2027 elections at GOS Garden, Olateju Street, became more than a political announcement. It evolved into a referendum on performance and the verdict from Mushin Constituency 1 was emphatic.
For decades, electoral support in many parts of Nigeria has followed a transactional model: short-term incentives exchanged for votes. What played out on May 1 suggests a gradual departure from that pattern.
“Many politicians show up only during elections,” one resident noted. “But OSMAK is always around. That consistency builds trust.” That trust, residents say, lies in how Akinsanya has redefined representation. In a political culture often dominated by rhetoric and episodic engagement, his approach has leaned heavily on visibility, accessibility, and measurable outcomes.
“What we witnessed was beyond politics,” said Mr. Olalekan Ajibola, capturing the mood of the day. “It was recognition pure and simple. When elderly women walk under that kind of heat, you know something fundamental has shifted.”
Across Mushin, his footprint is not abstract. Roads once riddled with potholes have been rehabilitated. Solar-powered streetlights now illuminate previously dark corridors. Public schools have received infrastructure upgrades, while families particularly widows have benefited from structured welfare interventions.
Projects such as the rehabilitation of Kumuyi and Fafolu Streets, the construction of Abiodun Primary School, and the renovation of Majolate Primary School reflect a leadership style anchored in community-level realities.
The scale and consistency of these interventions stand out. Each year, over 400 students receive free UTME forms. More than 2,000 school bags filled with learning materials have been distributed to pupils. Solar-powered boreholes now serve multiple wards, addressing one of the area’s most persistent challenges access to clean water.
In the economic sphere, six commercial vehicles have been provided to support small-scale entrepreneurs, while over ₦20 million has been disbursed as direct financial assistance. During the post-subsidy hardship period, 1,350 widows across 311 streets each received ₦10,000 through the Ounje Eko Palliative Initiative a targeted response that many beneficiaries say came at a critical time.
Beyond the numbers, OSMAK’s appeal appears rooted in something less tangible but equally powerful: presence.
“My grandchildren are in school today because of his support,” said Mama Adebisi, a 68-year-old widow. “He remembers us not just during elections, but every year.”
For traders like Oladele Ibaju on Mushin Road, the changes are both visible and practical. “The roads we use daily were fixed because of him. The boreholes give us water. These are things we feel every day. That is why people came out not because they were told to, but because they wanted to.”
Among younger residents, his initiatives have also created pathways for engagement. The Wards Champions Cup, introduced in 2022, has evolved into more than a football competition it has become a platform for youth development and community cohesion. “It brought people together,” said Tunde Adeagbo, a sports entrepreneur. “It gave young people something to look forward to. That matters.”
This evolving relationship between representative and constituency is what makes Akinsanya’s case particularly noteworthy. Rather than episodic engagement, his model emphasises continuity an approach that appears to resonate deeply with constituents who increasingly demand accountability beyond campaign seasons.
During his declaration, Akinsanya outlined an agenda for the 11th Assembly (2027–2031) that builds on his current trajectory: expanding access to clean water, strengthening housing protections, addressing flood-prone infrastructure, and scaling financial empowerment programmes for women.
For many residents, however, the specifics while important are secondary to a more fundamental consideration: trust.
“He has promised more boreholes, and we need them,” said Mrs. Olamide Akinwale. “But what matters most is that he listens. He comes to us, understands our problems, and stays connected.”
The significance of Mushin’s gathering extends beyond one constituency. It raises broader questions about governance in Lagos and Nigeria at large: What should representation look like? What should citizens expect from those they elect?
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya’s model grounded in tangible delivery, consistent engagement, and community presence offers one possible answer. If replicated across the Lagos State House of Assembly, such an approach could reshape public expectations and institutional performance. It suggests that effective governance is not merely about legislative debates or political alliances, but about sustained impact at the grassroots level.
As 2027 approaches, the Mushin’s message is already clear. The people are no longer passive participants in the democratic process. They are evaluators measuring performance, weighing outcomes, and making informed demands. Their call “Don’t leave us again” is directed at one man. But its implications are far wider.
It is a reminder that in a functioning democracy, legitimacy is not inherited or imposed. It is earned consistently, visibly, and in the everyday lives of the people.
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