Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eti-Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the controversy over the party's ticket for the constituency. They want Hon. Noheem Adams restored as the APC candidate, citing his victory in the party's primary held on May 20, 2026. Adams reportedly polled 7,638 votes, while his challenger, Saheed Bankole, scored 1,225 votes.
The APC's published candidate list, however, names Bankole as the party's candidate, sparking a dispute. The stakeholders, comprising ward leaders, grassroots mobilisers, youths, women, and other party members, have urged the party leadership to respect the primary result and resolve the dispute through dialogue. They stress that "politics is local" and that the views of grassroots members should be considered in resolving the matter.
The stakeholders believe that restoring Adams' ticket would strengthen confidence in the party's internal democratic process and prevent divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. They also appealed to Tinubu to "hear the voice of the grassroots, respect the choice of the locals, reconcile our political family" and help resolve the dispute amicably. The group seeks justice, peace, restoration, and reconciliation.
The dispute has raised concerns about the party's internal democracy and the role of grassroots members in the selection of candidates. The stakeholders' appeal to Tinubu underscores the importance of resolving the matter amicably to avoid further divisions within the party. The Eti-Osa Constituency I seat is one of the highly contested seats in the upcoming elections.
President Tinubu, as a key leader of the APC, is expected to play a crucial role in resolving the dispute. His intervention is seen as necessary to restore peace and stability within the party. The stakeholders' call for his intervention reflects the high stakes involved in the dispute and the need for a swift resolution.
The APC's national leadership has yet to comment on the dispute, but sources close to the party indicate that efforts are being made to resolve the matter. The party's candidate list was published after the primary, and Bankole was listed as the candidate. However, the stakeholders' appeal to Tinubu suggests that the matter is far from resolved.
The outcome of the dispute will have implications for the APC's performance in the upcoming elections. The party's ability to resolve the matter amicably will be seen as a test of its internal democracy and commitment to the rule of law. The stakeholders' appeal to Tinubu has highlighted the need for the party to prioritize the views of its grassroots members.
Key points
- APC stakeholders in Eti-Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the party's ticket dispute.
- The dispute centres on the party's candidate list, which names Saheed Bankole as the candidate, contrary to the primary result that declared Hon. Noheem Adams as the winner.
- The stakeholders believe that restoring Adams' ticket would strengthen confidence in the party's internal democratic process and prevent divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
