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By Sunday Ani
Eti-Osa APC stakeholders under the aegis of Noheem Adams Support Group, yesterday protested the alleged exclusion of the lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, from the final list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates after the recent party’s primary elections.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, leader of the group, Alhaji Owolabi Yisa, appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda and the Lagos State Chairman of APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to urgently intervene and redress the unfolding situation regarding the APC House of Assembly ticket for Eti-Osa Constituency I.
Yisa urged the leaders to ensure that the mandate freely given to the incumbent lawmaker is respected.
The stakeholders said Adams emerged as the overwhelming choice of the APC members during the party’s primary election, having polled 7, 638 to defeat his closest rival, Saheed Bankole, who polled 1, 225.
According to figures presented at the briefing, Adams defeated Bankole by a wide margin of 6,413 votes.
Describing the outcome as a clear expression of the will of party members, the group said the result was neither close nor disputed, but rather reflected the overwhelming grassroots support for Adams.
“The will of the people was clearly expressed. This was not a narrow victory and it was not a disputed mandate. It was an overwhelming endorsement by party members across Eti-Osa Constituency I,” the stakeholders stated.
They noted that the lawmaker also enjoys the backing of the traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, community development associations, professional groups and residents across the constituency.
They attributed Adams’ popularity to what they described as years of accessible leadership, community engagement, youth empowerment initiatives, educational support programmes, infrastructure advocacy and legislative effectiveness.
“The people know him, trust him and have repeatedly demonstrated confidence in him,” the group said.
The stakeholders, however, expressed concern that any move to overturn the outcome of the primary election could trigger internal divisions within the party and weaken its electoral fortunes.
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They recalled the events leading to the 2023 elections, arguing that decisions perceived as inconsistent with the wishes of party members contributed to internal crises and electoral setbacks in some areas.
According to them, ignoring the democratic choice of party members often leads to demoralisation among supporters, weakened grassroots structures and opportunities for the opposition parties to gain political advantage.
Earlier before the press briefing, the group had protested at the Eleganza Toll Gate, calling on the presidency and the APC stakeholders to urgently restore Adam’s mandate.
Speaking to journalists, a member of the group, Alhaji Surajudeen Abejamu, said they had gathered because of their votes at the primary which was stolen, demanding restoration.
“We are here because of the votes we cast for Nojeem Adams during the party’s primary elections. He has been in the House of Assembly since 2017 and he is the only person who has been working assiduously, especially during this last dispensation.
“This is a man who has acted like a senator to us because we have a senator who never even cared for any of us.
“He has acted on behalf of the government. Whenever we have any problems and we call on him, he is always here for us.
“When you are in need of government and you signal him, he will come.
At all times, there is nothing he has not been doing,” he said.
Another member of the group, Lukman Abiodun, corroborated Abejamu’s account, saying, “I am a leader here. We voted and Adams won his primary election. Our movement is basing its call on the fact that Adams was the people’s choice and he won the primary.
“We are seeking and calling the attention of President Tinubu. We are calling on the national chairman of the party and the Lagos State governor, including the state chairman of our party Ojelabi, to look into our request and give us our mandate. “Adams was voted for in Etiosa 1 and he won the election. He’s the people’s choice and his name should be on the list.”
