APC Lagos Primaries: Ex-Lawmakers Fail to Secure LG Chairmanship Tickets Ahead of July Polls

In a dramatic turn during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections held last weekend, five former members of the Lagos State House of Assembly were unable to clinch the party’s tickets for local government chairmanship positions ahead of the July 12, 2025, local council elections.

The party’s primaries, held at its secretariat on Acme Road in Ikeja, saw aspirants for the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos fiercely contest for nomination. However, the aspirations of some seasoned politicians were cut short.

Former Lawmakers Face Setback in Chairmanship Race

Among those who failed to secure the APC’s endorsement were prominent former legislators such as Rotimi Olowo (Somolu LGA), Yinka Ogundimu (Agege LGA), Hakeem Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo LGA), Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA), and Avoseh (Badagry LG). These individuals, once influential voices in the state’s legislative assembly, were unable to sway the party delegates in their respective constituencies.

The rejection of these political heavyweights signals a shift in grassroots dynamics within the Lagos APC. Analysts believe that internal party politics, evolving local alliances, and the emergence of younger contenders could be contributing factors behind the outcome.

Conversely, the party primaries saw a number of returning chairmen and newcomers clinch their tickets, either through contested polls or unopposed consensus decisions.

Kosofe LGA’s incumbent chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, secured an unopposed victory after his opponents withdrew, reaffirming his popularity and party support. Ogunlewe’s uncontested win was viewed as a vote of confidence in his first-term leadership and governance.

In Ifako-Ijaiye, Usman Hamzat, the current LGA chairman, also emerged victorious, receiving the APC ticket to seek re-election. Likewise, Lawal Jakande, son of the late former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande, won the chairmanship ticket for Odi-Olowo, a significant nod to the enduring legacy of his family in Lagos politics.

The full list of winners features a combination of returning chairpersons and fresh faces ready to step into the political spotlight across the state’s councils. Notable among them are:

• Tunde Azeez (Agege)
• Akindipe Olamilekan (Ajeromi-Ifelodun)
• Oloyede Kehinde (Oshodi-Isolo)
• Hunkpe Babatunde (Badagry)
• Ladega Adedayo (Ikorodu)
• Sura Animashaun (Epe)
• Sesan Olowa (Ibeju-Lekki)
• Agbaje Abiodun (Ayobo-Ipaja)
• Olusegun Odumbaku (Ojodu)
• Akinsanya (Igando-Ikotun)
• Hakeem Dauda (Ikeja)
• Moyo Adebanjo (Onigbongbo)

Their emergence sets the stage for what is expected to be a robust contest in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

The outcome of the APC primaries has reshaped expectations for the July polls and could influence the broader political landscape in Lagos. The failure of several political veterans to secure tickets suggests an internal recalibration within the party. It also reflects the shifting sentiments of grassroots party members who are increasingly empowered to decide the direction of local leadership.

The presence of political dynasties, such as that of Lateef Jakande, remains significant, though emerging leaders are also finding room to grow under the APC’s structure. With incumbents like Ogunlewe and Hamzat being given the nod for another term, the APC seems to be balancing experience with renewal.

Additionally, the completion of this primary exercise demonstrates the APC’s readiness for the next phase of political engagement — campaigning. As Lagos prepares for the local government elections, party unity, voter mobilization, and local issues will likely dominate the political discourse.

For now, attention turns to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to ensure a transparent and fair election process. As July 12 approaches, the stage is set for another important test of democracy at the grassroots level in Nigeria’s commercial capital.