A coalition of apex leaders, party members, stakeholders, traditional institutions, youth and women groups, and residents of Eti -Osa Constituency I of Lagos State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intervene in what they described as an attempt to disregard the outcome of the party’s primary election in the Constituency.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, leader of the group, Alhaji Owolabi Yisa, appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the national leadership of the party, and the Lagos State Chairman of APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to urgently intervene in and redress the unfolding situation regarding the APC House of Assembly ticket for Eti-Osa Constituency I.
Yisa urged the leaders to ensure that the mandate freely given to the incumbent lawmaker is respected.
The stakeholders said Noheem Adams emerged as the overwhelming choice of APC members during the party’s primary election, defeating his closest rival, Saheed Bankole, by a wide margin.
According to figures presented at the briefing, Adams secured 7,638 votes across the constituency’s wards, while Bankole polled 1,225 votes, giving the incumbent lawmaker a margin of victory of 6,413 votes.
Describing the outcome as a clear expression of the will of party members, the group said the result was neither close nor disputed, but rather reflected overwhelming grassroots support for Adams.
“The will of the people was clearly expressed. This was not a narrow victory and it was not a disputed mandate. It was an overwhelming endorsement by party members across Eti-Osa Constituency I,” the stakeholders stated.
According to the stakeholders, the lawmaker also enjoys the backing of traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, community development associations, professional groups and residents across the constituency.
They attributed Adams’ popularity to what they described as years of accessible leadership, community engagement, youth empowerment initiatives, educational support programmes, infrastructure advocacy and legislative effectiveness.
“The people know him, trust him and have repeatedly demonstrated confidence in him,” the group said.
The stakeholders, however, expressed concern that any move to overturn the outcome of the primary election could trigger internal divisions within the party and weaken its electoral fortunes.
They recalled the events leading to the 2023 elections, arguing that decisions perceived as inconsistent with the wishes of party members contributed to internal crises and electoral setbacks in some areas.
According to them, ignoring the democratic choice of party members often leads to demoralisation among supporters, weakened grassroots structures and opportunities for opposition parties to gain political advantage.
Earlier before the press briefing, the group had protested at the Eleganza Toll Gate, calling on the presidency and APC stakeholders to urgently restore Adam’s mandate.
Also speaking to the press, a member of the group, Alhaji Surajudeen Abejamu, said they gathered because of their votes at the primary which was stolen, demanding restoration.
“We are here on behalf of the primary election votes we cast for Honourable Nojeem Babatunde Adams,” he said.
“He has been in the House since 2017 and he is the only person who has been working assiduously especially at this last dispensation.
“This is a man who has acted like a senator to us because we another who never even cares for any of us.
“He has acted on behalf of the government. When we have any problems, you always signal him, he is here.
“When you are in need of government, you signal him and he will come. At all times, there is nothing he has not been doing. Nothing we have here as a problem that you don’t see his impact in addressing it,” he said.
Another member of the group, Lukman Abiodun, echoed the same sentiment. “I am a leader here. Here we voted and Honourable Nojeem won his election. Our movement is basing its call on the fact that Honorable Nojeem Adams was the people’s choice and he won the primary.
“We are seeking and calling the attention of President Bola Tinubu. We are calling on the national chairman of the great party, APC, and the Lagos State governor, including the state chairman of our party Ojelabi, to look into our requests, to give us our mandates. Nojeem Adams was voted for in Eti-Osa 1 and he won the election. He’s the people’s choice.”
