A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Mainland Local Government has moved against the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, and a 76-year-old former council chairman, Hon. Rasheedat Omolola Essien, following the outcome of a shadow primary held ahead of the 2027 general election.
The exercise, conducted by a group operating under the name Mainland Voice (MV), adopted a collegiate voting system to identify a consensus aspirant for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency ticket.
Eighty-two delegates took part in the process, which featured four aspirants: Oshun, Essien, Hon. Kazeem K. Omolaja, and Mr. Sawyer.
Results from the exercise showed Omolaja emerging with 44 votes, ahead of Essien who secured 26 votes. Oshun trailed with eight votes, while Sawyer polled two votes. Two ballots were declared void.
Organisers of the exercise described the process as transparent and reflective of the prevailing mood within sections of the party in the local government.
Party sources linked Oshunโs low tally to dissatisfaction with his performance over his long tenure in the National Assembly. They also referenced his recent loss at his ward and polling unit to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship candidate during the last local government elections as an indication of declining grassroots support.
Essienโs showing, according to insiders, was affected by concerns over her age and reported health challenges, which some members believe could limit her ability to effectively contest and serve if elected.
The development adds a new layer to the political dynamics in Lagos Mainland, an area known for intense electoral contests.
Separately, stakeholders from Ebute-Metta (West), under the platform of Lagos Mainland (West) Local Government, have renewed complaints of marginalisation in the local political structure. In a statement, the group said the area has not produced any elected official or political appointee since 1999, despite its contributions to the partyโs electoral successes.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and the APC leadership in the state to address what they described as a longstanding imbalance in political representation.
