Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
An internal crisis is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress as party elders, ward executives, and grassroots members from Eti-Osa Constituency I have convened a world press conference to demand the immediate restoration of the party's House of Assembly ticket to Hon. Noheem Adams, the incumbent Majority Leader who they insist won the May 20, 2026 primary election by a landslide. The stakeholders, speaking through the constituency's Apex Leader, Taiwo Jegede Jacob, expressed growing frustration over what they described as the suppression of primary election results and the subsequent publication of a candidate list that replaced Adams with his rival, Saheed Bankole.
According to the organisers, Adams secured a decisive victory with 7,638 votes, while his opponent polled just 1,225 votes—a margin of 6,413 votes that the stakeholders argue represents an unequivocal mandate from the local electorate. The primary election, held on May 20, 2026, had initially seen Adams emerge victorious, with multiple news outlets reporting his win at the time. However, the subsequent release of the Lagos APC's final list of candidates for the House of Assembly named Saheed Bankole as the party's flagbearer for Eti-Osa Constituency I, sparking outrage among party faithful who had voted overwhelmingly for the incumbent.
Addressing journalists and community stakeholders, Jacob Jegede emphasised that the demand was not motivated by hatred, personal ambition, or opposition to any individual, but rather by a deep commitment to internal democracy, party unity, and the electoral success of the APC. "The issue before us is therefore bigger than one individual. It is about the sanctity of the electoral process within our party. It is about respecting the people who participated in the primary. It is about fairness. It is about justice. And ultimately, it is about the electoral strength of the APC in Eti-Osa Constituency I," Jegede declared.
The stakeholders have framed their appeal directly to the highest echelons of the party, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Lagos State Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi to intervene urgently. The group warned that ignoring the primary results risks undermining internal democracy and damaging the APC's prospects in the upcoming general election. They maintained that genuine reconciliation must address the root cause of the disagreement—the mandate freely expressed at the primary election—rather than merely asking aggrieved members to accept an outcome they believe is unjust.
Central to the stakeholders' demand is the recommendation of the party's own Reconciliation Committee, which reportedly advised returning the ticket to Adams to avert a crisis at the polls. The group urged the party leadership to give serious consideration to these recommendations, arguing that restoring the ticket to Adams would promote party unity and enhance the APC's chances of victory in the forthcoming election. "Reconciliation cannot merely be about asking aggrieved members to accept an outcome that they believe is unjust," the group noted. "True reconciliation must address the root of the disagreement—the mandate freely expressed at the primary election".
The brewing tension spilled onto the streets before the press briefing, as hundreds of aggrieved party members, youth groups, and women associations staged a peaceful protest at the Eleganza Toll Gate, demanding the immediate restoration of what they termed a stolen mandate. Alhaji Surajudeen Abejamu, a prominent member of the group, expressed the frustration of the grassroots voters, emphasising that Adams has been in the House since 2017 and has consistently worked for the people of the constituency. "We are here on behalf of the primary election votes we cast for Honorable Nojeem Babatunde Adams," Abejamu said. "He has been in the House since 2017 and he is the only person who has been working assiduously. This is a man who has acted like a senator to us. When we have any problems, you always signal him and he is here. At all times, there is nothing he has not been doing".
Another party leader, Lukman Abiodun, echoed the sentiment, stressing that the movement is entirely about defending democratic choices. "Our movement is basing its call on the fact that Nojeem Adams was the people's choice and he won the primary. We are calling on the national chairman of our great party, the Lagos State Governor, and the state chairman to look into our requests and give us our mandate".
The stakeholders have outlined five key demands: formally uphold the results of the May 20, 2026 primary; re-issue the nomination to Noheem Adams based on the polling margin; execute the recommendations outlined by the APC Reconciliation Committee; consult authentic local stakeholders to resolve ongoing friction; and refrain from imposing candidates against the demonstrated preferences of the rank-and-file membership.
The group also appealed to APC members in the constituency to remain calm and avoid violence, intimidation, insults, and personal attacks, stressing that the disagreement should be resolved through legitimate party channels and dialogue. They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, insisting that their demand was not a rejection of the party but a call for it to uphold its democratic ideals.
Beyond the immediate ticket dispute, the stakeholders warned that subverting the will of the people could have catastrophic consequences for the APC in future general elections. They reminded party leadership of the internal crises and electoral setbacks suffered in parts of Lagos during the 2023 elections, attributing those losses to decisions that ignored the wishes of party members. They noted that discarding a candidate who enjoys the backing of traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, and community development associations will only open the door wide for opposition parties to gain an advantage. The stakeholders maintained that Adams' popularity is rooted in years of accessible leadership, youth empowerment, educational support programmes, and consistent community engagement.
Adams, who serves as the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, was one of the central figures in the January 2025 leadership crisis that temporarily removed Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. He was among 12 lawmakers who lost their return bids in the APC primaries, alongside Chief Whip Fatai Mojeed and Deputy Chief Whip Setonji David. Lawmakers who secured return tickets in the primaries include Gbolahan Yishawu of Eti-Osa II and Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
As the crisis deepens, party leadership at the state and national levels has yet to issue a formal response to the constituency's press conference. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the APC's electoral fortunes in Lagos State, particularly in Eti-Osa Constituency I, where Adams' grassroots support and years of legislative service have made him a formidable political figure. For now, the stakeholders have made their position clear: the will of the people must not be disregarded, and the mandate freely given to Noheem Adams must be restored.
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