The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on [insert date] conducted its local government primaries, resulting in the emergence of four consensus chairmanship candidates ahead of the July 12 local government elections.
The four candidates, whose nominations were ratified at the party’s secretariat in Ogba, Ikeja, are:
- Isa Abiola Jibril (Iba LCDA)
- Azeez Karim (Oto-Awori LCDA)
- Motunrayo Alogba (Ijede LCDA)
- Rasaq Bamidele Kasali (Lekki LCDA)
Their candidacies were affirmed by local APC officers forming the electoral college, in the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
The shadow election, led by the APC Election Committee chaired by Tunde Ogala (SAN), also included members like Alhaji Mutiu Are (GAC), Dr. Wale Ahmed, Rasaq Balogun, Lanre Ogunyemi, and others.
Although proceedings were scheduled to begin at noon, voting was delayed as delegates debated between adopting a consensus or proceeding with an electoral vote. While some LGAs adopted the consensus approach, others—including the six councils from Alimosho—opted to vote.
The indirect primary was peaceful, with ballots sorted, counted, and announced in the presence of aspirants’ agents. However, delegates from Yaba Council were absent, and the committee stated that a primary would be rescheduled if consensus was not reached.
Among notable outcomes, several candidates with prominent political ties emerged:
- Usman Hamzat, brother of Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, secured a second-term ticket for Ifako-Ijaiye LGA.
- Seyi Jakande, son of late Governor Lateef Jakande, was nominated for Ojuwoye Council.
- David Odunmbaku, son of influential APC chieftain Cardinal James Odunmbaku, was chosen for Ojodu Council.
Other confirmed APC candidates for the July 12 poll include:
- Olalekan Aroyewun (Igbogbo-Baiyeku)
- Rotimi Oluwayemi (Ojokoro)
- Moyosore Ogunlewe (Kosofe)
- Olufemi Okeowo (Ifelodun)
- Olalekan Akindipe (Ajeromi)
- Yusuf Sule (Surulere)
- Azeez Ogidan (Coker-Aguda)
- Tola Oyedele (Agboyi-Ketu)
- Taiwo Taoheed (Ejigbo)
- Muyibi Alade (Lagos Island East)
- Sanusi Ismail (Amuwo-Odofin)
- Muibat Rufai (Ojo)
- Taiwo Oyekan (Lagos Island West)
- Amin Wale (Ikorodu North)
- Agunbiade Samsondeen (Eti-Osa East)
- Akinola Abiodun (Orile-Agege)
- Jimoh Olawale (Apapa-Iganmu)
- Akinpelu Ibrahim (Alimosho)
Before voting began, Usman Hamzat urged delegates to support a peaceful process, emphasizing that President Bola Tinubu was monitoring the outcome, stating, “This is the only party. The umbrella has torn.”
