APC, PDP deploy forces for showdown in Lagos

The two leading political parties in Lagos State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have continued to strengthen their bases as they deploy their political forces for showdown in the 2023 general elections in the state. What would have emerged as a third force in Lagos State, the Labour party (LP), is yet to show sufficient energy to be a major contender for the governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its final list of candidates, identified Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking re-election for a second term on APC platform, Olajide Abdulazeez Adeniran, jandor, of the PDP; Dickson Olaogun, Accord Party; Balogun Abdurazaq, Action Alliance (AA); Olayiwola Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC); Doherty Adesina of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Bamidele Ishola, African Democratic Party (ADP); Kupoliyi Funmilayo, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Awamaridi Ifagbemi, Labour Party (LP); Jim-Kamal Olarewaju, New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP); Braithwaite Akinwunmi, National Rescue Movement (NRM); Uthman Olakunle, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Ajayi Adebayo, Young Progressive Party (YPP); Adenipe Adekunle; Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP); Adeyimi Abiola, Action Peoples Party (APP); and Oluwo Olawale of the Boot Party (BP) as the contenders in the governorship election in Lagos State.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 396 candidates drawn from 16 political parties would be contesting for the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

However, only APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, and ADP fielded candidates for all the 40 seats in the state parliament.

Political parties that fielded candidates in at least 10 of the 40 state constituencies for the house of assembly election were: AA (38) , AAC (20), ADC (37), BP (34), and SDP (36).

The APP and NRM fielded candidates in nine state constituencies each while YPP, PRP, Accord and APM fielded candidates in five, four, three and one state constituencies respectively.

The Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and People’s Redemption Party (PRP) did not have governorship candidates in the publication.

Similarly, APGA and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) did not have State assembly candidates.

Elementary inquiry by National Daily, however, revealed that of the parties and candidates, the two major contenders are Governor Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Jandor of the PDP. Both candidates and parties have deployed resources for mobilization of support in the various wards, including lower political units.

Sanwo-Olu, in addition, is deploying the incumbency powers of his office to strengthen the APC camapign activities. All appointees in the state, including contractors, tentatively, have the mandate to deliver the votes of their zones to the APC.

Jandor, being a former APC member, understands the ruling party’s tactics. He is leading his team to match the APC force for force in grassroots mobilization across Lagos State.

However, certain forces in the PDP which are involved in the national crisis in the PDP may cause relative set back for the party in the state. The PDP crisis has been taking one of the party leaders in Lagos, Bode George, away from active participation in the political and camapign activities of the PDP in Lagos.

On the other divide, the APC appears to have strong cohesion in the state.

Further indices of the power contest would be unfolded in subsequent reports as the campaigns garner momentum.