Political activities within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered momentum on Thursday as no fewer than 91 aspirants jostled for the party’s House of Representatives tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The contest, which is expected to produce candidates for the state’s 24 federal constituencies, has attracted serving lawmakers, former commissioners, ex council chairmen, former legislators and influential party leaders.
Findings revealed that aspirants have already undergone screening and clearance by the party’s committee, while direct primaries are expected to take place across most of the 245 wards in the state.
Despite efforts by party leaders to broker consensus arrangements in some constituencies, several aspirants reportedly resisted pressure to step down from the race.
However, three aspirants are expected to emerge unopposed. Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is set to clinch the APC ticket for Agege Federal Constituency without opposition, while incumbent lawmaker Fuad Laguda and Benjamin Olabinjo are also expected to secure return tickets unchallenged in their respective constituencies.
In Ikorodu Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker Jimi Benson will face Olugbenga Shittu, while Ikeja Federal Constituency will witness a contest between incumbent James Faleke and Olufunke Hassan.
The Lagos Island II race is also expected to attract considerable attention as incumbent Kayode Akiolubattles former Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, alongside Saheed Salawe and Oluwatobilola Martins-Fregene.
In Apapa Federal Constituency, incumbent Mufutau Egberoungbe will contest against former council chairman Funmilayo Muhhamed, Samuel Adesola Adebayo and Abullateef Aloba.
Kosofe Federal Constituency will see incumbent Kafilat Ogbara battle former council chairmen Yetunde Arobieke and Dele Osinowo, as well as Remi Odunsi and Aina Olayinka.
The Oshodi Isolo axis is projected to produce some of the fiercest contests, with 16 aspirants battling for the two federal constituencies.
For Oshodi Isolo I, the contenders include former council chairmen Afeez Ipesa-Balogun and Bolaji Ariyoh, alongside Abayomi Fasanya, Taiwo Ayedun, Bashiru Dawodu, Lawrence Olanrewaju Iyere, Ndubisi Okwara and Foluke Daramola-Salako.
In Oshodi Isolo II, former House of Representatives member Ganiyu Johnson and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, are among the leading contenders.
In Eti Osa, former council chairmen Rasheedat Adu and Fuad Lawal are in the race alongside John Ogundara, Tosin Wahab and Opeyemi Abodunrin.
The Mushin II ticket will feature a showdown between former Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, and incumbent Toyin Fayinka, while Mushin I will see incumbent Adeyemi Alli square up against Adeleke Opeodu and Madina Sanusi.
In Alimosho Federal Constituency, incumbent Ganiyu Ayuba is facing stiff competition from former Commissioner for Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, as well as Olabisi Adebanjo, Olabode Adebisi and Babatunde Fatuade.
Somolu Federal Constituency is equally shaping up to be a major battleground, with former ALGON National Chairman Kolade Alabi, former Somolu council chairman Abdul-Hammed Salawu, former lawmaker Rotimi Olowo and Mojisola Kassim in contention.
For Ajeromi Ifelodun, incumbent Paul Kalejaiye will face former representative Kolawole Taiwo.
In Ojo Federal Constituency, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, will contest against Wale Williams, while Surulere II features a contest between Lanre Okunolaand Aremu Olalekan.
The Epe Federal Constituency race includes incumbent Wale Raji, Saidat Oladundoye, Wale Anomo, Ademola Amure and Bakare Isiaka.
In Lagos Mainland, incumbent Lanre Oshun will battle former council chairman Omolola Essien, alongside Sunday Sawyer, Olushola Olorunleke, Omolaja Animashaun, Olatokunbo Oluwole and Adekunle Omolaja.
Badagry Federal Constituency will witness incumbent Sesi Whingan contesting against Olusegun Adeniran and Olufemi Ogunsanya, while the Ibeju Lekki ticket features Adebayo Balogun, Lukman Akinsanya and Delaja Oladipupo.
Ten aspirants are also battling for the Lagos Island I and II constituencies. In Lagos Island I, Chairman of the Lagos House of Representatives Caucus, Dolapo Badru, former lawmaker Ibrahim Obanikoro, Toyese Olusi, Muyiwa Ajayi-Bembe, Ayodele Oluseye and Yusuf Adekunle are among those in the race.
Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency also has six aspirants, including Ayodele Adewale, Ramotallahi Akinola, Thomas Ayo Da-Silva, Wuraola Adewale, Moses Olarewaju and Adeola Adegbenga.
