Lagos Deputy Speaker Meranda secures fourth-term APC House of Assembly ticket

Lagos State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda has won the All Progressives Congress governorship primary ticket for Apapa Constituency I, reinforcing her position as one of the most influential lawmakers in the state legislature.

Meranda polled 2,926 votes to defeat three other candidates in the primary conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The exercise was held at Ijora Oloye Nursery and Primary School, Ijora, and began around 1:00 p.m., remaining peaceful despite a large turnout. Delegates and agents had arrived from 9:00 a.m., while DSS, police and NSCDC personnel provided security at the venue.

Four candidates contested the ticket — Meranda, Esan Adedotun, Mike Egbayelo, and Elizabeth Toluwalope. Meranda arrived at the venue around 12:45 p.m. to cheers from supporters.

In a separate result from an earlier exercise held across five wards in Apapa Constituency I, Meranda also polled 6,062 votes against her closest rival, Ayo Vaughan, who got 1,385 votes.

Reacting to the outcome, Meranda expressed appreciation to her supporters. “To the leaders of our great party, the dedicated delegates, my political family, and the good people of Apapa Constituency I, I express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming show of love, trust, and confidence reposed in me,” she said in a statement.

The victory is a significant political milestone for Meranda, who is now positioned for a fourth consecutive term in the Lagos State House of Assembly. She has represented Apapa Constituency I since June 2015 and has held senior legislative positions, including serving briefly as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in January 2025 following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, before returning to the role of Deputy Speaker in March 2025.

APC youth leader in Ijora, Adams Aremu, described the primaries as a “victory day” for Meranda, noting that her projects across Apapa Constituency I cut across wards and that she had supported small businesses and attracted widespread community backing. Party executive Joseph Layode, praising Meranda’s performance in office, did not rule out the possibility of her ascending to the speakership, saying: “She could become the next speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

The contest had received a groundswell of support from community stakeholders even before primary day, with the Golden Alliance Team of Apapa Constituency purchasing her nomination forms and formally endorsing her fourth-term bid, citing her consistent efforts to bring development to the constituency.