Osafile Stella, the sole opposition member in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has disclosed experiencing public ridicule following her defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), instead of aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Stella, who currently chairs the House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, made the revelation after Monday’s plenary sitting, acknowledging persistent taunts but asserting that resilience is essential in politics.
According to Stella, her decision to join the ADC was primarily driven by the wishes of her constituents, who encouraged the move. She emphasized that the ADC is not a new or unstructured party, noting that it already has functional, established mechanisms in place. “My people encouraged me to take this step. It was the constituents I represent who asked me to move to the ADC,” she stated, framing the switch as a response to grassroots demand rather than personal or opportunistic calculation.
Addressing speculation about electoral prospects, Stella avoided confirming any guaranteed return ticket from the ADC, reiterating that her actions remain tethered to constituent interests. She also dismissed suggestions that her opposition status has resulted in discrimination within the Assembly, praising Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa for maintaining professionalism and impartiality. “The Speaker understands his role and assigns responsibilities appropriately. I have not experienced any form of discrimination,” she said, adding that Obasa consistently sets aside party differences to uphold constitutional duties.
On the intersection of religion and governance, Stella underscored Nigeria’s secular framework, noting that political participation transcends religious boundaries. “Your personality will always reflect in how you play politics. After God’s authority comes government, so you cannot distance yourself from it,” she commented, advocating for a governance approach separate from sectarian influences.
Stella’s position highlights the political dynamics of the Lagos Assembly, where the APC holds a dominant majority. Her continued presence as an opposition voice, coupled with her committee leadership role, underscores a functioning—if lopsided—legislative environment where cross-party collaboration persists at an institutional level. Her account suggests that constituent representation, rather than strict party loyalty, guided her defection, a narrative that may resonate amid debates on political realignments ahead of the next election cycle. The Speaker’s perceived neutrality, as described by Stella, also points to procedural norms within the Assembly that may mitigate overt partisan friction.
