Allied Peoples' Movement (APM) governorship candidate Adelaja Adeoye has pledged to reform and reintegrate Lagos transport union operators commonly called Agberos instead of driving them off the streets if he wins the 2027 election. During a Sunday interview on Arise News, the candidate outlined a strategy centred on mindset change, economic empowerment, and alternative livelihood opportunities as the solution to the intimidation and street-level enforcement often linked to these groups.
What is the candidate's plan for Agberos? Adeoye described Agberos as "our children" and "our people" who have been pushed into disruptive behaviour because they lack adequate empowerment. He argued that simply removing them from motor parks and highways would not resolve the underlying problem. Instead, his administration would convene them, offer viable alternatives, and reset their thinking so they become productive contributors to society. The candidate even suggested that some could eventually serve as commissioners once their perspectives shift.
How does he define the Agbero challenge? The term Agbero refers to informal transport union operatives who collect levies from commercial drivers and sometimes enforce compliance through intimidation. Adeoye traced their activities to a deficit of legitimate economic options. He insisted that rehabilitation and reintegration must take precedence over exclusion, stating that no group would be chased away but rather brought into the formal fold through structured programmes.
What allegations of intimidation were raised? Beyond policy, Adeoye accused unnamed individuals of tearing down his campaign posters and pasting those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, over them across Lagos. He said video evidence of the act exists and that he has reported the matter to security agencies. The candidate maintained that those involved in such political thuggery should also be given a chance to redirect their energies toward positive endeavours.
The Allied Peoples' Movement (APM) nominee's remarks signal a departure from the forceful clearance approaches often favoured by authorities. By framing the issue as a socio-economic gap rather than a purely criminal one, Adeoye positions his platform on a reformist trajectory that could reshape how the Lagos State Government engages with informal transport actors. Whether this approach resonates with voters will become clearer as the 2027 contest approaches.