Ishola Rauf Shina, the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kosofe Constituency I, has welcomed the confirmation and publication of candidate details on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, describing the development as an important milestone in the quest for democratic participation, accountable leadership and improved living conditions for residents.
Shina, in a press statement issued in Lagos State, said the development reaffirmed his commitment to providing residents with a credible political alternative anchored on social justice, inclusive governance, people-centred development and responsible representation.
The AAC candidate identified inadequate housing, deteriorating public infrastructure, limited economic opportunities, and gaps in access to quality education and healthcare as some of the challenges confronting residents of Kosofe, pledging to pursue policies aimed at addressing the problems if elected.
He outlined an eight-point policy agenda covering housing and land rights, education and youth development, technology and digital inclusion, healthcare, employment and enterprise, infrastructure and environmental sustainability, security and human rights, as well as transparency and accountable representation.
On housing and community development, Shina said he would advocate affordable and decent housing, the protection of legitimate land rights, transparent urban renewal and community-centred development.
He maintained that government-led redevelopment should not be used as a justification for arbitrary displacement or the destruction of residents’ livelihoods, insisting that affected communities must be consulted and treated fairly.
According to him, where redevelopment becomes necessary, residents must receive appropriate safeguards and resettlement arrangements to prevent them from bearing the consequences of development projects without adequate protection.
On education, the candidate pledged to advocate improved public schools, better learning environments, support for teachers, access to digital learning and practical skills acquisition.
He also emphasised the need for vocational training and youth empowerment programmes that would prepare young people for employment, entrepreneurship and participation in the modern economy.
Shina said technology should serve as a tool for expanding opportunities, improving transparency and strengthening public service delivery, adding that digital literacy, technology-driven skills acquisition and youth innovation would form part of his legislative priorities.
He further promised to advocate policies that would expand access to digital opportunities while promoting transparent public administration and accessible channels through which constituents could communicate their concerns and monitor government performance.
On healthcare, the AAC candidate said he would push for the rehabilitation and improved equipping of primary healthcare centres across Kosofe, alongside better staffing, the provision of essential medicines, maternal and child healthcare, preventive services and affordable treatment.
He stressed that access to healthcare should not be determined by an individual’s financial circumstances, particularly for vulnerable residents who cannot afford expensive private medical services.
Addressing unemployment and economic challenges, Shina said residents needed practical opportunities to earn a living rather than political promises that failed to translate into tangible improvements.
He pledged to champion policies supporting small businesses, artisans, traders, young entrepreneurs and local producers, while advocating vocational training, entrepreneurship programmes and transparent public initiatives designed to promote sustainable livelihoods.
The candidate also identified poor infrastructure, flooding, environmental degradation and inadequate public amenities as issues requiring sustained attention.
He said his priorities would include improved roads, drainage systems, sanitation, waste management, street lighting and safer public spaces, adding that development should be distributed across communities rather than concentrated in a few locations.
On security and justice, Shina maintained that the safety and dignity of residents must remain central to governance.
He pledged to support community-based approaches to public safety, stronger cooperation between communities and relevant security agencies, improved access to justice and the protection of fundamental human rights.
He added that no resident should be denied the protection of the law because of poverty, social status or political affiliation.
The AAC candidate also promised to promote transparent and inclusive representation through regular constituency consultations and engagement with community associations, youth groups, women, persons with disabilities, traders, artisans and other stakeholders.
He said he would advocate transparent budgeting, responsible management of public resources and measurable reporting on constituency priorities to ensure that elected representatives remained accountable to the people.
According to the statement, the proposed policy commitments would guide his engagement with residents, with plans to present his manifesto directly to communities and incorporate their legitimate concerns into his legislative priorities.
Shina said his objective was to promote a system of representation that remained accessible to constituents, answered to their needs and focused on improving living conditions and protecting property.
The candidate also urged eligible voters in Kosofe Constituency I and Lagos State generally to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) as INEC commences its announced collection exercise.
He advised residents to visit their designated collection centres and verify collection dates, arrangements and requirements through official INEC channels.
Describing the PVC as an important instrument of democratic participation, Shina said eligible voters must take responsibility for deciding who represents them and how public affairs are managed.
He urged residents not to leave their political future to chance or indifference, stressing the importance of making informed choices at the ballot box.
The candidate further called on residents to remain peaceful and vigilant throughout the electoral process, urging them to resist voter intimidation, electoral violence, vote buying and other practices capable of undermining the will of the electorate.
He reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful, lawful and credible electoral process in which every valid vote would count.
Explaining the philosophy behind his campaign, Shina described the Mission to Liberation as a call for a new direction in Kosofe and Lagos State, built around decent housing, quality education, accessible healthcare, technological advancement, economic opportunities, functional infrastructure and accountable leadership.
He acknowledged that meaningful development required careful planning, public participation, legislative engagement and sustained accountability.
He therefore invited residents, community leaders, civil society organisations, young people, professionals, traders and other stakeholders to join the initiative and contribute to policies that reflect the realities of their communities.
Shina, however, cautioned that the challenges confronting Kosofe would not disappear overnight, stating that his commitment was to work diligently, represent constituents responsibly, demand accountability and pursue practical solutions to improve their quality of life.
He expressed optimism that collective action could help build a Kosofe where families live with dignity, children have better opportunities, young people can build productive futures and public institutions respond effectively to citizens’ needs.
“The journey to liberation begins with civic participation, collective responsibility and the courage to demand better governance,” he said in the statement.
He concluded by declaring that victory belonged to the people when they stood united, informed and determined, while reaffirming his campaign slogan: “Mission to Liberation — Freedom. Opportunity. Prosperity.”