Members and political support groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eti-Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, have called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to intervene in an emerging dispute over the party’s candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The controversy followed the publication of the APC’s official candidates list on May 25, which named Saheed Bankole as the party’s flagbearer for the constituency. The decision, however, contradicted the outcome of the primary election held in Ajah, where incumbent lawmaker and House Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, reportedly secured a landslide victory with 7,638 votes against Bankole’s 1,225.
Supporters of Adams, including youth groups, women’s associations, community leaders, and party loyalists, staged a protest at the Second Toll Gate area in Lekki, insisting that the outcome of the primary be respected.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Owolabi Yisa said Adams’ victory reflected a clear and overwhelming endorsement by party members, warning that overturning the result could undermine internal democracy and weaken grassroots confidence in the party’s processes.
The aggrieved members appealed to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and President Tinubu to ensure fairness and uphold the principle of internal democracy.
They also maintained that Adams enjoys wide support across the constituency, including from party elders, traditional rulers, market associations, and residents, citing his performance in office and sustained community engagement.
In response, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi explained that the state chapter only published results submitted by a committee set up by the party’s national leadership, stressing that it had no authority to alter the list.
Despite reaffirming their loyalty to the APC and the Tinubu administration, the protesting members insisted that party unity can only be sustained through transparency and respect for members’ democratic choices.