With the July 12, 2025, local government elections in Lagos fast approaching, political momentum is building across Nigeria’s most populous state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a significant step forward by releasing the official list of aspirants cleared to contest for chairmanship positions in its upcoming party primaries.
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Out of 470 aspirants who presented themselves for screening, 432 successfully made the cut, marking a critical moment in the journey toward renewed grassroots leadership in Lagos. The party primaries are scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, using the indirect voting method, where party executives from all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) will cast their votes.
A Rigorous Screening Process
The screening exercise was no walk in the park. It took place between Tuesday, April 29, and Friday, May 3, at the APC Secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba. Chairing the Electoral Committee was Babatunde Ogala, a former National Legal Adviser of the APC and a one-time member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Assisting him was the committee secretary, Mr Babarinde Nurudeen.
Speaking on the process, Ogala described it as “thorough, rigorous, and challenging”, emphasising the committee’s commitment to upholding the credibility of the electoral process. “What we witnessed was a passionate pool of aspirants who are determined to serve their local communities. The calibre of those cleared to contest reflects the party’s belief in grassroots development,” he noted.
Why 38 Aspirants Didn’t Make It
Of the initial 470 aspirants, 38 were disqualified or voluntarily stepped down. Among the most notable was Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. He reportedly withdrew from the race following intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Leader.
Reasons for disqualification ranged from lack of a valid Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and missing APC membership credentials to falsified academic certificates—particularly at the secondary school level. The committee stressed that compliance with these basic requirements was non-negotiable.
Gender Representation: Still a Long Way to Go
Out of the 470 total aspirants, 411 were men, while 59 were women. Although the number of female aspirants remains significantly lower, it reflects a growing level of female political participation, particularly at the local level. The APC has acknowledged the importance of gender inclusivity and promised to create more opportunities for women in governance.
What’s Next?
For aspirants who were disqualified or forced to step down, the appeal window remains open. Petitions can be submitted between Sunday, May 4, and Monday, May 5. Meanwhile, those who contest the outcomes of the primaries may file complaints with the Appeal Committee from May 12 to 13.
All eyes are now on May 10, when the APC primaries will determine who will represent the party in the chairmanship elections for the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos State.
As Lagosians anticipate a new era of local leadership, the APC’s candidate list signals a race that’s more than a contest of ambition—it’s a competition of vision, capacity, and commitment to the people.
