Lagos APC Faces Internal Democracy Test as Eti-Osa Stakeholders Reject Adams’ Ticket Withdrawal
Lagos APC Faces Internal Democracy Test as Eti-Osa Stakeholders Reject Adams’ Ticket Withdrawal
The battle over the All Progressives Congress, APC, ticket for Eti-Osa Constituency I has developed into a major test of internal democracy within the Lagos State chapter of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Party elders, ward executives and grassroots stakeholders in Eti-Osa are demanding the restoration of the House of Assembly ticket to Noheem Adams, insisting that the outcome of the May 20, 2026 primary election should be respected.
The controversy has moved beyond the political future of one aspirant, with stakeholders warning that failure to resolve the dispute could deepen divisions and potentially weaken the APC’s grassroots machinery as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
According to results announced following the primary, Adams, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, polled 7,638 votes against Saheed Bankole’s 1,225 votes.
The result gave Adams a commanding margin of 6,413 votes, with reports at the time indicating that he won five of the six wards where voting took place.
However, the subsequent controversy surrounding the ticket has triggered protests and repeated appeals for intervention by the APC leadership.
At a world press conference, APC stakeholders from Eti-Osa Constituency I maintained that the votes cast by party members should determine who carries the party’s flag.
APC Apex Leader in Eti-Osa, Taiwo Jegede Jacob, and other stakeholders expressed frustration over what they described as the suppression of the primary election outcome.
They argued that the controversy could have consequences beyond Eti-Osa if ordinary party members begin to believe their votes at internal elections can be overturned.
The stakeholders consequently appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi to intervene and ensure that the disagreement does not develop into a bigger political crisis.
Of particular concern to the aggrieved stakeholders is the reported recommendation of an APC reconciliation committee, which they said favoured returning the ticket to Adams as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.
They insisted that genuine reconciliation must address the source of the disagreement rather than merely persuade aggrieved members to accept an outcome they consider unfair.
The latest intervention is not the first time Adams’ supporters have publicly protested over the ticket.
In June, stakeholders appealed to the party leadership and President Tinubu to intervene, while some supporters staged a protest at the Eleganza Toll Gate demanding recognition of Adams’ mandate.
Before the May primary, influential APC figures and community stakeholders had also endorsed Adams for another term.
A March 26 letter reportedly signed by 26 party leaders described him as their consensus candidate, while ward and local government party chairmen subsequently backed his return to the Assembly.
The lingering disagreement therefore presents the Lagos APC leadership with a delicate political decision.
While political parties possess mechanisms for resolving disputes over nominations, stakeholders in Eti-Osa argue that overriding what they describe as an overwhelming primary mandate could discourage grassroots members whose mobilisation will be needed during the general election.
With the 2027 elections approaching, maintaining unity within Lagos APC will be crucial, particularly as the ruling party seeks strong performances for its candidates across the state.
For the Eti-Osa stakeholders, however, the immediate issue remains straightforward: they want the May 20 primary result recognised and Adams restored as the APC candidate.
The APC leadership has yet to publicly announce a resolution to the latest demands.
Whether the party restores Adams’ ticket or maintains a different candidate could determine not only the direction of the Eti-Osa contest but also how successfully the Lagos APC manages internal grievances ahead of 2027.
