APC unveils Lagos Assembly candidates, leaves out 12 incumbent lawmakers

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has presented Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to its candidates for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly election, officially confirming that 12 serving members of the state legislature will not contest the polls on the party’s platform.

The development comes against the backdrop of a growing internal crisis within the Lagos chapter of the APC following the conclusion of its primary elections, with several aspirants rejecting the outcome over alleged irregularities and candidate substitutions.

Among the lawmakers who failed to secure the party’s ticket are the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams; Chief Whip, Hon. Fatai Mojeed; Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Setonji David; and Surulere Constituency I representative, Desmond Elliot.

Others excluded from the APC’s final list are Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu Constituency I), Lanre Afini (Lagos Island I), Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo I), Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe II), Bonu Solomon (Badagry II), Emmanuel Oloto (Ifako-Ijaiye II), Jubreel Abdulkareem (Agege II), and Apata Samuel (Somolu Constituency II).

The exclusion of the 12 lawmakers represents one of the most significant political realignments in the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several ranking legislators losing the opportunity to seek another term under the APC.

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The presentation of the INEC nomination forms has also intensified discontent among party members, many of whom have continued to challenge the conduct of the party primaries.

Several aggrieved aspirants alleged that candidates who emerged victorious during the primary elections were subsequently replaced with other names before the submission of the party’s final list to the electoral commission.

The allegations have sparked protests in different parts of Lagos State, with party supporters accusing the leadership of undermining the integrity of the primary process.

Some members warned that unless the grievances are addressed, the lingering dispute could weaken the APC’s cohesion and affect its performance in the 2027 general elections.

Sources within the party said reconciliation efforts are underway to resolve the crisis and pacify aggrieved aspirants and their supporters.

However, protests and complaints have continued, with some party stakeholders demanding the reversal of what they described as unjust candidate substitutions to prevent further divisions within the ruling party.