APC Supporters Protest Candidate Switch in Eti‑Osa, Call on Tinubu to Intervene in Lagos 2027 Election.

In Eti‑Osa Constituency I, Lagos State, a coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and affiliated political groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s leadership to intervene in a dispute over the APC’s candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in the upcoming 2027 elections.

The appeal was prompted by the APC’s official release of its candidate list for the House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly. The list names Saheed Bankole as the party’s candidate for Eti‑Osa Constituency I.

Many supporters of the incumbent lawmaker and Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, are upset, claiming that they won the constituency primary. According to the primary results announced in Ajah, Adams received 7,638 votes while Bankole polled 1,225. Election officials declared Adams the winner across the constituency’s wards.

When the APC published its final candidate list on May 25, Bankole was listed as the flag‑bearer for the constituency, sparking protests among party loyalists and community stakeholders.

During a demonstration at the Second Toll Gate area of Lekki on Thursday, members of the Noheem Adams Support Group, along with party faithful, youth organisations, women groups and community leaders, demanded that the party respect the primary outcome.

Speaking for the protesters, Owolabi Yisa urged APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Lagos State APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi to safeguard the mandate freely given by party members. He argued that the large margin in the primary reflected the overwhelming preference for Adams and warned that overturning the result could create unnecessary divisions within the party.

Stakeholders say Adams enjoys broad support among party elders, traditional institutions, market associations, youth groups and residents across the constituency because of his performance in office, empowerment initiatives and sustained engagement with constituents.

“The will of party members was clearly demonstrated during the primary election. This was not a marginal victory or a disputed contest; it was a decisive endorsement of Hon. Noheem Adams by APC members across the constituency,” Yisa said.

The protesters cautioned that disregarding the primary outcome could undermine party unity and discourage grassroots supporters who participated in the democratic process. They also appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene and ensure that fairness, justice and internal democracy are upheld.

Amid the controversy, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi maintained that the candidate list already published by the party remains the official record of the primaries. He explained that the state chapter merely released the results submitted by the committee appointed by the APC national leadership and had no authority to alter or manipulate the outcome.

“The state chapter only published the outcome of the primaries conducted by the committee constituted by the national headquarters,” Ojelabi said. He insisted that the list remains valid despite objections from some stakeholders.

Nevertheless, the aggrieved party members urged the APC leadership to revisit the issue, arguing that respecting the wishes of party members would strengthen unity and confidence in the party’s internal processes. While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC and the administration of President Tinubu, the protesters maintained that lasting cohesion within the party can only be achieved through transparency, fairness and respect for democratic decisions.