No fewer than 91 aspirants seeking seats in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will battle for 24 tickets in the party’s primaries scheduled for Friday across the 245 wards in Lagos State.
The exercise is expected to produce candidates for the state’s 24 federal constituencies, with serving lawmakers, former commissioners, ex-council chairmen, former legislators and prominent party leaders among those contesting.
The aspirants have already been screened and cleared by the party’s committee, while direct primaries are expected to hold across the state.
In Ikorodu Federal Constituency, incumbent Jimi Benson will contest against Olugbenga Shittu, while Ikeja Federal Constituency will see incumbent James Faleke face Olufunke Hassan.
The Lagos Island II contest is expected to attract significant attention as incumbent Kayode Akiolu battles former Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, alongside Saheed Salawe and Oluwatobilola Martins-Fregene.
In Apapa Federal Constituency, incumbent Mufutau Egberoungbe will compete against former council chairman Funmilayo Muhhamed, Samuel Adesola Adebayo and Abdullateef Aloba.
For Kosofe Federal Constituency, incumbent Kafilat Ogbara will square off against former council chairmen Yetunde Arobieke and Dele Osinowo, as well as Remi Odunsi and Aina Olayinka.
The Oshodi-Isolo contest is projected to be among the fiercest, with 16 aspirants vying for the two constituencies in the area.
Those contesting for Oshodi-Isolo I include former council chairmen Afeez Ipesa-Balogun and Bolaji Ariyoh, Abayomi Fasanya, Taiwo Ayedun, Bashiru Dawodu, Lawrence Olanrewaju Iyere, Ndubisi Okwara and Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola-Salako.
For Oshodi-Isolo II, former House of Representatives member Ganiyu Johnson and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, are among the leading contenders.
In Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, former council chairmen Rasheedat Adu and Fuad Lawal are in the race alongside John Ogundara, Tosin Wahab and Opeyemi Abodunrin.
The Mushin II ticket will see former Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, challenge incumbent Toyin Fayinka, while incumbent Adeyemi Alli will battle Adeleke Opeodu and Madina Sanusi in Mushin I.
In Alimosho Federal Constituency, incumbent Ganiyu Ayuba is facing competition from former Commissioner for Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Olabisi Adebanjo, Olabode Adebisi and Babatunde Fatuade.
Somolu Federal Constituency is also expected to witness a major contest involving former ALGON National Chairman, Kolade Alabi, former Somolu council chairman Abdul-Hammed Salawu, former lawmaker Rotimi Olowo and Mojisola Kassim.
For Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, incumbent Paul Kalejaiye will face former representative Kolawole Taiwo.
In Ojo Federal Constituency, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, will square up against Wale Williams, while Surulere II features a contest between Lanre Okunola and Aremu Olalekan.
The Epe Federal Constituency race includes incumbent Wale Raji, Saidat Oladundoye, Wale Anomo, Ademola Amure and Bakare Isiaka.
In Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, incumbent Lanre Oshun will battle former council chairman Omolola Essien, Sunday Sawyer, Olushola Olorunleke, Omolaja Animashaun, Olatokunbo Oluwole and Adekunle Omolaja.
Badagry Federal Constituency will witness Sesi Whingan contesting against Olusegun Adeniran and Olufemi Ogunsanya, while the Ibeju-Lekki ticket features Adebayo Balogun, Lukman Akinsanya and Delaja Oladipupo.
Ten aspirants are also contesting for the Lagos Island I and II constituencies. In Lagos Island I, Chairman of the Lagos House of Representatives Caucus, Dolapo Badru, former House of Representatives member Ibrahim Obanikoro, Toyese Olusi, Muyiwa Ajayi-Bembe, Ayodele Oluseye and Yusuf Adekunle are among the contenders.
Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency also has six aspirants in the race, including Ayodele Adewale, Ramotallahi Akinola, Thomas Ayo Da-Silva, Wuraola Adewale, Moses Olarewaju and Adeola Adegbenga.
