Political stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Mainland have firmly stated their opposition to automatic tickets for incumbent officeholders. They are advocating for a transparent primary election process for all aspirants seeking to represent the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
These stakeholders also emphasized the absence of any factions within the local APC chapter, underscoring their commitment to unity and adherence to democratic principles in candidate selection.
This stance follows a recent unofficial "shadow primary" organised by a group called Mainland Voice (MV). The exercise aimed to assess the support levels for potential candidates vying for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency seat.
Four individuals participated in this informal poll: the current representative, Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun; former council chairman, Rasheedat Omolola Essien; Hon. Kazeem K. Omolaja; and Mr. Sawyer.
The unofficial results indicated that Omolaja received 44 votes from 82 delegates, with Essien securing 26 votes and Oshun obtaining eight votes. Sawyer received no valid votes, and two ballots were deemed invalid.
Despite the outcome of the shadow poll, party insiders stressed that this exercise does not supersede the official party primary. They confirmed that the APC leadership has mandated a transparent process for all aspirants.
"The party leadership has made it unequivocal that there will be no consensus arrangements. Every aspirant will have to prove their popularity through the primary election," a source within the party revealed.
The current situation highlights the intense competition for the constituency seat, particularly between the incumbent and the former council chairperson.
Moshood Oshun, who has served as a legislator for approximately two decades, is reportedly facing significant internal pressure, with some party members questioning his continued pursuit of the position.
Rasheedat Essien, a former chairman of the Lagos Mainland Local Government who served for eight years and boasts over two decades of public service experience, has also declared her intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat.
Her ambition has sparked considerable discussion among party members, especially concerning the need for generational leadership changes.
Furthermore, residents of Ebute-Metta (West), operating under the Lagos Mainland (West) platform, have also voiced their opposition to any imposition of a consensus candidate.
In a recent public statement, the group called for a fair and equal opportunity for all aspirants throughout the primary process, urging party leadership to ensure this.
The group also lamented what they described as long-standing political neglect of the Ebute-Metta (West) area. They pointed out that since 1999, the area has not produced an elected representative nor secured substantial political appointments, despite its significant contributions to electoral success.
They have appealed to state and national party leaders, as well as the Governor of Lagos State, to address this perceived imbalance and promote greater inclusivity within the party's structure.
As political manoeuvring intensifies, the insistence on open primaries is viewed as a crucial strategy for managing internal rivalries and maintaining party solidarity within the APC in Lagos Mainland as the 2027 elections approach.
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