Coalition of CSO’s in Kosofe calls for calm as Oshinowo emerges APC House of Reps candidate

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kosofe Local Government, has called for calm and spirit of sportsmanship amongst contenders, following the emergence of Mayor Dele Oshinowo as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in House of Representatives primary election held on Saturday, 16th May 2026 within Kosofe Federal Constituency.

In a statement signed by the organization’s convener Comrade Alex Omotehinse, it hinted that the contradictory position maintained by the incumbent lawmaker who was defeated at the primaries- MHR Hon. Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, smacks of an attempt to heat up the polity in the constituency if not quickly addressed as she allegedly laid claim to victory and subsequently asserted that the election did not hold.

According to the Coalition the inconsistency is both troubling and capable of generating confusion, tension, and unnecessary political heat within the Kosofe Federal constituency.

It maintained that based on the announcement of the returning officer, one Mr Gabriel Olusesan Dada, four aspirants contested the primary election namely Mayor Dele Oshinowo (M) 18,614 votes, Chief Mrs Yetunde Arobieke (F) 7,389 votes Remi Odunsi (F) 5,726 votes and Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (F) 5,450 votes.

Therefore, according to the announced results Mayor Dele Oshinowo won the election in a landslides victory with the highest number of votes.

The statement read, “From available information and declarations made at the conclusion of the exercise, Mayor Dele Oshinowo was announced by the designated returning officer as the duly elected candidate and flag bearer of the APC for the 2027 general elections.

“However, the Coalition note concerns the contradictory position emanating from the camp of the incumbent MHR Hon. Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, which initially laid claim to victory and has subsequently asserted that the election did not hold.

“This inconsistency is both troubling and capable of generating confusion, tension, and unnecessary political heat within the Kosofe Federal constituency.

“As a human rights-driven body and active stakeholder in Nigeria’s pro-democracy journey having played roles in the struggle against military rule, the Coalition considers it imperative to caution against any actions or narratives that may overheat the polity or threaten the peace and stability of Kosofe and, by extension, Lagos State.

“Kosofe Federal Constituency is known for its relative peace, political maturity, and civic consciousness.

“These values must not be undermined by post-primary disputes or conflicting claims capable of inciting unrest or creating security challenges for law-abiding residents.”

The organization therefore stated its position on the development : “That any grievances arising from the conduct or outcome of the primary election should be addressed strictly through established party mechanisms and, where necessary, or through a courts of competent jurisdiction.

“That no camp or political actor should resort to self-help, inflammatory rhetoric, or actions capable of disrupting public peace.
“That the integrity of the democratic process must be preserved through lawful, transparent, and peaceful channels.
“We hereby call on the security agencies to checkmate any act or conduct that can ignite or promote crises in Kosofe Federal Constituency.”

The organization however, counseled all aspirants to prioritize the interest of Kosofe federal constituency far above personal interest and ambition, while warning them to eschew acts capable of inciting violence, mobilizing unrest, or creating tension and atmosphere of insecurity within the Kosofe Federal constituency.