Lagos APC Primaries: Jakande, 54 others emerge Chairmanship Candidates for 55 LGs/LCDAs
In what could be described as a pivotal moment in the build-up to Lagos State’s July 12 local government elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday concluded its chairmanship primaries across 55 of the state’s 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The primary exercise, held in Ikeja, witnessed a blend of consensus arrangements and competitive delegate voting, setting the stage for what promises to be a politically charged grassroots contest.
Although the party had expected to field chairmanship candidates for all 57 councils, primaries did not hold in Yaba LCDA and Mainland LCDA due to ongoing litigations that reportedly stalled delegate participation. This highlights the simmering undercurrents and factional disputes within the Lagos APC ranks, even as the party attempts to project unity and discipline.
The Numbers Game and the Process
According to the party’s Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), a total of 1,539 delegates were slated to vote in the Lagos APC Primaries. Each council had 27 accredited delegates participating in either voting or affirming consensus candidates. Out of the 55 completed council primaries, four candidates emerged unopposed through consensus and were subsequently affirmed by delegates, while 51 others faced intra-party electoral contests.
Among those who clinched the party’s ticket through consensus were Mr. Isa Jubril (Iba LCDA), Mrs. Motunrayo Gbadebo (Ijede LCDA), Mr. Rasaq Kasali (Lekki LCDA), and Mr. Azeez Kareem (Otto-Awori LCDA). These selections, although indicative of internal negotiations, also underscore the enduring influence of political godfathers and zonal power brokers within the Lagos APC hierarchy.
Emerging Flag Bearers: Familiar Names, Political Calculations
The full list of victorious aspirants reads like a who’s who of Lagos grassroots politics. Names such as Lawal Jakande (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA), Moyosore Ogunlewe (Kosofe LG), Olufemi Okeowo (Ifelodun LCDA), and Olamilekan Akindipe (Ajeromi-Ifelodun LG) stand out, signaling a possible consolidation of influence by key political families and factions.
Equally notable is the emergence of Hameed Aroyehun (Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA) and Oluyemisi Rosiji (Ojokoro LCDA), both seen as rising figures in their respective areas. The party’s strategic placements suggest an effort to balance loyalty, competence, and grassroots popularity while also rewarding steadfast party foot soldiers.
Below is a snapshot of key winners across the state:
- Mainland Lagos: Akeem Dauda (Ikeja LG), Lawal Jakande (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye), Olusegun Odunmbaku (Ojodu), and Babatunde Azeez (Agege LG)
- Lagos East Senatorial Zone: Monsuru Ismail (Eredo LCDA), Adedayo Ladega (Ikorodu LG), Kazeem Sulaiman (Ikorodu West), and Sesan Olowa (Ibeju-Lekki LCDA)
- Lagos Central and West Zones: Bola Oladunjoye (Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA), Ibrahim Akinpelu (Alimosho LG), and Jimoh Ishola (Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA)
Protests and Political Tension
As expected in a high-stakes primary process, not all stakeholders were satisfied. Some aspirants and their agents lodged protests over alleged irregularities in delegate accreditation and vote tallying. While Ogala admitted that “there might be a few human errors,” he urged dissatisfied aspirants to pursue their appeals through the designated APC Appeal Committee channels.
Observers say these disputes, if not swiftly addressed, could snowball into larger factional rifts capable of weakening APC’s grip ahead of the July polls. The shadow of internal party discord looms large over Lagos APC, especially as opposition parties quietly prepare to exploit potential divisions.
What This Means for Lagos Grassroots Politics
The emergence of chairmanship candidates is more than a mere procedural step—it is a litmus test for APC’s internal democracy and its ability to renew political structures from the ground up. The mix of old political players and emerging faces signals both continuity and renewal, but also reveals an entrenched pattern of patronage that continues to define the Lagos political ecosystem.
With the July 12 elections fast approaching, the APC must not only unify its ranks but also convince the electorate of the legitimacy and preparedness of its candidates. The party’s performance at the grassroots level—where governance touches everyday lives most directly—will determine its continued dominance in Nigeria’s most politically strategic state.
The Bigger Picture
As Nigeria inches closer to another critical national election cycle, local council elections such as these serve as a strategic rehearsal for political parties. They test mobilization capacity, reward loyalty, and often reflect the deeper alignments ahead of gubernatorial and presidential contests.
For Lagos APC, these primaries are not just about who becomes chairman—they are about who controls the grassroots machinery that powers elections, narratives, and influence across the state.
Here is the full list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidates who emerged from the Lagos State Local Government primaries held on Saturday, May 11, 2025, ahead of the July 12 local government elections. Candidates emerged for 55 out of the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, as primaries were not conducted in Yaba LCDA and Mainland LCDA due to litigation issues.
LAGOS APC CHAIRMANSHIP CANDIDATES – LGAs/LCDAs
Consensus Candidates
- Iba LCDA – Mr. Isa Jubril
- Ijede LCDA – Mrs. Motunrayo Gbadebo
- Lekki LCDA – Mr. Rasaq Kasali
- Otto-Awori LCDA – Mr. Azeez Kareem
Candidates Elected Through Delegate Voting
- Ifako-Ijaiye LG – Mr. Usman Hamzat
- Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA – Mr. Hameed Aroyehun
- Ojokoro LCDA – Oluyemisi Rosiji
- Kosofe LG – Moyosore Ogunlewe
- Ifelodun LCDA – Olufemi Okeowo
- Ajeromi-Ifelodun LG – Olamilekan Akindipe
- Surulere LG – Suleiman Yusuf
- Coker-Aguda LCDA – Azeez Ogidan
- Agboyi-Ketu LCDA – Tola Oyedele
- Ejigbo LCDA – Taoreed Taiwo
- Lagos Island East LCDA – Muibi Alade
- Amuwo-Odofin LG – Sanusi Ismail
- Ojo LG – Muibat Rufia
- Lagos Island LG – Taiwo Oyekan
- Ikorodu North LG – Wale Hameed
- Eti-Osa East LCDA – Samsudeen Agunbiade
- Badagry LG – Humpey Babatunde
- Epe LG – Sura Animashaun
- Isolo LCDA – Adebayo Olasoju
- Ibeju-Lekki LCDA – Sesan Olowa
- Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA – Wale Alomo
- Badagry West LCDA – Rauf Ibrahim
- Ikorodu LG – Adedayo Ladega
- Oriade LCDA – Rasak Oloyede
- Orile Agege LCDA – Abiodun Akinola
- Somolu LG – Lateef Ashimin
- Ikosi-Isheri LCDA – Bolanle Bada
- Oshodi-Isolo LG – Kehinde Oloyede
- Imota LCDA – Sunday Benson
- Ikorodu West LCDA – Kazeem Sulaiman
- Apapa LG – Shobanjo Idowu
- Olorunda LCDA – Peter Ajose
- Eredo LCDA – Monsuru Ismail
- Mosan-Okunola LCDA – Opeyemi Akindele
- Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA – Abiodun Agbaje
- Alimosho LG – Ibrahim Akinpelu
- Apapa Iganmu LCDA – Jimoh Olawale
- Bariga LCDA – Bukola Omofe
- Mushin LG – Tunbosun Aruwe
- Ojodu LCDA – Olusegun Odunmbaku
- Egbe-Idimu LCDA – Idris Balogun
- Ikotun-Igando LCDA – Lasisi Akinsanya
- Ikeja LG – Akeem Dauda
- Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA – Lawal Jakande
- Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA – Bola Oladunjoye
- Onigbongbo LCDA – Moyo Adebanjo
- Eti-Osa LCDA – Adeola Sheriff
- Agege LG – Babatunde Azeez
- Iru/Victoria Island LCDA – Aminat Alabi
- Itire-Ikate LCDA – Daniel Olufemi
- Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA – Jimoh Ishola
Primaries Not Held
- Yaba LCDA – Not conducted due to litigation
- Mainland LCDA – Not conducted due to litigation
