From Childhood Curiosity to Political Ambition: Engineer Toheeb Adegoke ADLAT Shares What Inspired His Political Journey

The APM candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency recounts how childhood exposure to political activities, prolonged power outages and a passion for political literature shaped his interest in governance and representation.

Engineer Toheeb Adegoke ADLAT, the African People’s Movement (APM) candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency, has revealed that his interest in politics dates back to the age of four, when he began observing political activities through one of the political leaders who lived very close to his father’s house at Aba Onilu, Akinyele Local Government Area.

Speaking during an interview on Amuludun 99.1 FM with presenter Emperor Imoyosola Adetoro, ADLAT explained that the political leader frequently hosted political visitors at his residence, exposing the young ADLAT to an environment where political discussions and interactions took place. He said these early observations sparked his curiosity about politics and laid the foundation for his enduring interest in governance, leadership and public representation.

Although he began life in Orogun, Ward 8, Akinyele Local Government Area, his family later relocated to their permanent residence at Aba Onilu. ADLAT described Moniya as the community where he grew up and became widely known before gaining admission at the age of 17 to study Industrial and Production Engineering. He also recalled undergoing computer training at Adetutu Shopping Complex, Moniya, as part of his early personal development.

However, ADLAT disclosed that his personal experience with the prolonged absence of electricity in Aba Onilu became a major turning point in his decision to move beyond observing politics to actively engaging in political conversations. According to him, the persistent power outage affected residents in several ways, including his school life, where he recalled being mocked by fellow students because he could not iron his clothes. The experience made him question why a community should continue to live without a basic public utility such as electricity.

That concern, he explained, gradually developed into a deeper interest in public affairs and political commentary, prompting him to begin making social media posts about politics and governance. For ADLAT, the experience was more than a personal inconvenience; it was a practical lesson in how inadequate infrastructure and public services could affect the dignity, welfare and everyday lives of ordinary citizens.

Beyond his engineering and financial books, ADLAT said political literature has remained a significant part of his reading habit. He specifically highlighted his interest in Pan-Africanism and geopolitics, noting that his exposure to such literature broadened his understanding of governance, leadership, development and the importance of effective representation.

His account presents a political journey shaped by early exposure, personal experience and intellectual curiosity. From observing a political leader hosting visitors at his residence during childhood to experiencing the effects of prolonged power outages in his community, ADLAT described experiences that influenced his growing interest in political participation and the responsibilities of leadership.

As the APM candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, his reflections offer insight into the experiences and motivations behind his political ambition and his interest in how elected representatives can respond to the needs of their constituents.

His story highlights how childhood exposure to political activities, combined with personal experiences of community challenges, can shape an individual’s interest in governance and public representation.