Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Mainland have rejected moves to grant an automatic ticket to any aspirant, insisting that all contenders must participate in an open primary to determine the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives.
The stakeholders maintained that internal democracy must be upheld, stressing that no individual should be favoured ahead of the official party primary.
It was reported that leaders within the Lagos Mainland chapter of the APC also dismissed insinuations of factional divisions, reaffirming that the party remains united despite ongoing political activities.
They stressed the need for strict adherence to due process as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The position of the stakeholders follows a recent political exercise conducted by a group known as Mainland Voice, which organised a shadow primary to test the popularity of aspirants seeking to represent Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency.
Four aspirants participated in the exercise, including the incumbent lawmaker, Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun; former council chairman, Rasheedat Omolola Essien; Kazeem K. Omolaja; and Mr Sawyer.
Results from the exercise showed Omolaja polling 44 votes out of 82 delegates, while Essien secured 26 votes and Oshun recorded eight votes. Sawyer failed to secure any valid vote, with two ballots voided.
‘No Consensus Arrangement’ – Party Source
Despite the outcome of the shadow poll, party stakeholders insisted that it does not replace the officially recognised APC primary.
“The party has made it clear that there will be no consensus arrangement. Every aspirant must test their popularity at the primary,” Daily Trust quotes a party source as revealing.
The development comes amid growing debate over the candidacy of both the incumbent and other aspirants.
Oshun, who has spent nearly two decades in legislative representation, is reportedly facing increasing pressure from within the constituency, with some stakeholders questioning his continued ambition.
On her part, Essien, a former Lagos Mainland Local Government chairman who served for eight years and has over two decades of public service experience, has formally declared interest in the seat.
Her aspiration has sparked conversations among party members, particularly around the issue of generational leadership transition.
Meanwhile, residents of Ebute-Metta (West), under the Lagos Mainland (West) platform, have also rejected any attempt to impose a consensus candidate on the constituency.
In a statement, the group called for a level playing field, urging party leaders to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all aspirants during the primary process.
The group further decried what it described as the longstanding political marginalisation of the Ebute-Metta (West) axis.
According to them, since 1999, the area has neither produced an elected representative nor benefited from significant political appointments, despite its contributions to electoral victories.
They appealed to party leaders at both the state and national levels, including the Lagos State Government, to address the imbalance and promote inclusiveness within the party structure.
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