Ninety-one aspirants are set to contest in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary elections in Lagos State on Friday, as the party ramps up preparations for the 2027 general elections. The candidates, cleared by the party’s screening committee, will vie for 24 House of Representatives tickets across the state’s 245 wards, with direct primaries expected to determine the winners in most constituencies. The APC has adopted direct primaries as its preferred method of candidate selection, though party leaders have encouraged consensus where possible. Despite these efforts, several aspirants have refused to step down, leading to highly competitive races in many wards.
The list of contestants includes serving lawmakers, former members of the House of Representatives, ex-members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, former local government chairmen, and prominent party figures. While consensus was reportedly reached in some constituencies, the majority will proceed to direct primaries due to the high number of contenders. Three aspirants are expected to emerge unopposed if no last-minute changes occur: Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in Agege Federal Constituency; incumbent lawmaker Fuad Laguda in Surulere I; and Benjamin Olabinjo in Ifako-Ijaiye.
In Ikeja Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. James Faleke, state convener of the Renewed Hope Network, will face Olufunke Hassan. Jimi Benson, who has represented Ikorodu Federal Constituency since 2015, will contest against Olugbenga Shittu. In Ajeromi-Ifelodun, incumbent Paul Kalejaiye is set to battle former federal lawmaker Kolawole Taiwo. The race in Mushin Constituency II is also expected to be intense, with former Lagos commissioner and immediate past APC spokesperson Mogaji Seye Oladejo challenging incumbent Hon. Toyin Fayinka.
In Mushin I, incumbent Adeyemi Alli will face Adeleke Opeodu and Madina Sanusi. One of the most crowded contests will take place in Oshodi-Isolo, where 16 aspirants are vying for two House of Representatives tickets. In Oshodi-Isolo I, notable candidates include former council chairmen Afeez Ipesa-Balogun and Bolaji Ariyoh, as well as Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola-Salako. For Oshodi-Isolo II, the race features Dr. Olayinka AbdulRasheed Alausa, nephew of Nigeria’s Minister of Education, former lawmaker Ganiyu Johnson, and former commissioner Kehinde Bamigbetan.
Ten aspirants are competing for the two Lagos Island constituencies, including caucus chairman Dolapo Badru and former federal lawmaker Ibrahim Obanikoro. Other constituencies expected to see fierce competition include Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Somolu, Kosofe, Epe, Amuwo-Odofin, Eti-Osa, and Apapa, where incumbents face strong challenges from within the party. The outcome of these primaries will shape the APC’s electoral strategy and influence the political landscape in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Leave a Comment