LAGOS APC COUNCIL PRIMARIES: FIVE INCUMBENT CHAIRMEN LOSE TICKETS IN SURPRISE UPSETS
By HeadlineNews.News special Investigative team.
Lagos, Nigeria – May 11, 2025
The All Progressives Congress (APC) council primaries in Lagos State took an unexpected turn as five incumbent Local Council Chairmen failed to secure re-election tickets, marking a significant shift in grassroots political dynamics across the state’s 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The party primaries, held under intense scrutiny and high-stakes competition, reflected growing intra-party demands for generational change, performance accountability, and renewed loyalty structures ahead of the 2025 local council elections.
The Big Falls: Incumbents Out, New Faces In
Among the most notable upsets:
Onigbongbo LCDA: Rakiat Hassan lost her re-election bid to Moyo Adebanjo, signaling a new political wave backed by youth blocs within the party.
Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA: Ladi Oluwaloni, who stepped in after the death of former Chair Bolanle Shobowale, lost to Abiodun Agbaje, reportedly backed by influential party chieftain Bisi Yusuf.
Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA: Incumbent Oladapo Famuyiwa was edged out by Jimoh Ishola.
Coker Aguda LCDA: Rasak Olamilekan was defeated by Azeez Ogidan.
Eti-Osa East LCDA: John Ogundare, who unseated Samson Agunbiade in the last cycle, lost to him this time in a dramatic reversal.
These defeats highlight the volatile nature of local politics in Lagos, where incumbency is no longer a guarantee of party nomination—a trend increasingly common since the 2011 council elections.
Mixed Fortunes for Political Heavyweights
The primaries also brought surprises for several high-profile aspirants:
Hon. Yinka Ogundimu, a former Lagos Assembly member representing Agege, failed to clinch the ticket for Orile Agege LCDA, losing to Abiodun Akinola.
Ladi Balogun, General Manager of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), lost his bid to lead Ajeromi-Ifelodun LG.
However, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, a former House of Reps member, secured the APC ticket for Badagry LG, setting the stage for a political comeback.
Consensus vs. Contest: Ogala Declares Winners
APC’s Electoral Committee Chairman, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), declared that while four chairmanship candidates emerged through consensus, the remaining 51 tickets were keenly contested. He commended the transparency of the process, stating:
“This was a tough but necessary exercise. Our democracy thrives on internal party discipline and participation. Some human errors may have occurred, but we urge aggrieved aspirants to follow due appeal procedures.”
He added that the APC Appeal Committee is positioned to address credible complaints and ensure justice.
Among the consensus candidates were:
Isa Jubril (Iba LCDA)
Motunrayo Gbadebo (Ijede LCDA)
Rasaq Kasali (Lekki LCDA)
Azeez Kareem (Otto Awori LCDA)
Complete List of Declared Winners
Other flag bearers included Usman Hamzat (Ifako-Ijaiye), Moyosore Ogunlewe (Kosofe), Azeez Ogidan (Coker Aguda), Taoreed Taiwo (Ejigbo), Sanusi Ismail (Amuwo-Odofin), Muibat Rufia (Ojo), Abiodun Akinola (Orile Agege), Olusegun Odunmbaku (Ojodu), Akeem Dauda (Ikeja), and Aminat Alabi (Iru-Victoria Island), among many others.
This development reflects a growing appetite for grassroots reformation within the APC, particularly as the party seeks to rebuild its popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Historical Pattern of Reform
Historically, Lagos APC local council primaries have often served as a barometer for the party’s internal power realignment. In 2017, similar shocks occurred when several incumbents were denied return tickets amid growing public dissatisfaction.
According to political analyst Dr. Abayomi Sulaimon:
“This year’s primary results echo a clear message: the APC is recalibrating. The party leadership appears intent on injecting new blood and testing loyalty at the grassroots level. It’s survival politics.”
Appeals and Protests Loom
Despite assurances of transparency, reports emerged of protests and petition filings from aggrieved aspirants. In line with democratic norms, the party has activated internal redress mechanisms to investigate complaints before the candidate list is finalized.
Looking Ahead
With the local government elections drawing closer, APC’s internal cohesion and candidate popularity will determine its ability to maintain dominance in Lagos—a state it has controlled since the return to democracy in 1999.
As the political dust settles, attention now shifts to campaign strategies, performance track records, and how well the new flag bearers can rally public trust in one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states.
For more updates on the Lagos APC council elections and other grassroots political developments, stay with www. headlineNews.News.
