Lagos APC candidate proposes feedback boxes in palaces

An All Progressives Congress candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbenga Abiola, has proposed installing feedback boxes in traditional rulers’ palaces in Agege as part of his campaign pledge to make constituency representation more accessible ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu, said the proposed boxes would allow residents to submit complaints, suggestions and requests through Baales, who often serve as a point of contact between community members and public authorities.

But the proposal leaves open how submissions would be monitored, how quickly residents could expect responses and what mechanism would compel action on complaints—questions central to whether the initiative would deliver accountability beyond providing another channel for receiving grievances.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the APC candidate said the initiative would be part of his broader agenda for Agege Constituency I, arguing that elected representatives should maintain contact with residents beyond election campaigns.

Representation must be about listening. We cannot claim to represent the people if we do not continuously hear from them,” Abiola said.

He described Baales’ palaces as accessible community institutions where residents could raise concerns, particularly those who might struggle to reach political or government offices directly.

Under the proposed arrangement, information gathered through the boxes would help identify recurring problems across communities and channel them to the appropriate authorities.

Abiola did not specify how frequently the boxes would be checked, who would be responsible for reviewing submissions, how residents would track their complaints or how unresolved cases would be escalated.

He also did not outline a proposed timeline or reporting system for informing residents about the action taken on their submissions.

The candidate said traditional institutions should play a role beyond ceremonial functions, describing them as potential partners in community development and grassroots engagement.

“The palace is not far from the people. The doors of our Baales are open, and people already trust these traditional institutions,” he said, adding that the initiative would build on that trust to transmit community concerns to elected representatives and relevant authorities.

Abiola said the proposal formed part of his agenda, which he described as centred on service, impact and people-focused representation.

He said he aimed to ensure that residents could communicate their concerns to their representative without being disconnected from the process after elections.

The proposal comes as political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abiola is seeking election to represent Agege Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.