Tension is rising within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State after a disputed House of Assembly candidacy triggered protests and fresh calls for intervention from top party leaders.
APC members and political support groups in Eti-Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, have called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to step in and resolve a dispute over the APC candidacy for the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The controversy erupted after the party published its official candidates list on May 25, naming Saheed Bankole as its flagbearer for the constituency a decision that contradicted the result of the primary election held in Ajah, where incumbent lawmaker and House Majority Leader Noheem Adams had won by a wide margin, polling 7,638 votes against Bankole’s 1,225.
Supporters of Adams, including youth organizations, women’s groups, community leaders, and party loyalists, staged a protest at the Second Toll Gate area in Lekki to demand that the primary outcome be honored.
Speaking for the group, Owolabi Yisa described Adams’ victory as a decisive and unambiguous endorsement by party members, warning that overturning such a clear result could fracture party unity and dampen grassroots participation in internal democratic processes.
The protesters appealed to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and President Tinubu to ensure that fairness and internal democracy are upheld.
They argued that Adams commands broad support across the constituency from party elders, traditional institutions, market groups, and residents, owing to his track record in office and consistent community engagement.
In response, Ojelabi defended the published list, clarifying that the state chapter simply released results submitted by a committee set up by the APC national headquarters and had no authority to alter them.
Despite reaffirming their loyalty to the party and the Tinubu administration, the aggrieved members maintained that genuine party cohesion can only be built on transparency and respect for the democratic choices of its members.