In preparation for the July 12 Local Government Election in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that 432 aspirants will participate in its upcoming chairmanship primaries scheduled for next Saturday.
This follows the conclusion of the party’s screening exercise, which took place between Tuesday, April 29, and Friday, May 3, at the APC Secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba.
Out of the 470 aspirants screened, 432 were cleared by the electoral committee to contest across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).
The party disclosed that “38 other aspirants were either disqualified or they voluntarily withdrew from the race.”
A breakdown of the aspirants shows that the overwhelming majority are male, with 411 men and 59 women vying for the tickets.
An internal assessment revealed that Amuwo-Odofin topped the list with 20 cleared aspirants, followed closely by Shomolu with 18.
Other LGAs with high numbers include Apapa-Iganmu (16), Bariga LCDA (15), Ikorodu Central (15), and Yaba (14).
Additional LGAs such as Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Badagry Central each had 13 aspirants cleared.
In contrast, some councils had minimal competition.
“Iba, Ijede, Oto-Awori and Lekki and Surulere had one aspirant each cleared to contest unopposed,” a party source confirmed.
In Agege Local Government, the absence of AbdulGaniyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, was noted.
“AbdulGaniyu Obasa did not show up for the screening as seven aspirants were cleared to contest,” the source added.
According to the party’s earlier released guidelines, indirect primaries will be conducted.
“Executive members across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) would vote on May 10,” the statement read.
It was further gathered that elections will proceed only in councils where consensus candidates fail to emerge.
The party also outlined an appeals process for disqualified aspirants: “Disqualified aspirants have an opportunity to file an appeal between Sunday, May 4 and Monday, May 5. Those who wish to contest the outcome of the primaries can submit petitions to the Appeal Committee between May 12 and 13.”
