Ahead of the 2027 general elections, APC stakeholders in Lagos Mainland have rejected any automatic ticket for incumbent lawmaker Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, demanding an open primary to determine the party's House of Representatives candidate. Party members affirmed unity within the chapter and insisted all aspirants must contest through a transparent process as directed by APC leadership. A recent shadow primary conducted by a group called Mainland Voice (MV) featured four aspirants: Oshun, former Lagos Mainland council chairman Rasheedat Omolola Essien, Hon. Kazeem K. Omolaja, and Mr. Sawyer. Omolaja emerged top with 44 votes out of 82, followed by Essien with 26, Oshun with eight, and Sawyer with no valid votes—two ballots were voided. Despite the results, party stakeholders clarified the exercise does not substitute the official primary. "The party has made it clear that there will be no consensus arrangement. Every aspirant must test their popularity at the primary," a party source said. The push for open primaries has been echoed by residents of Ebute-Metta (West), who accused the party of long-term marginalisation, noting that since 1999, their area has not produced an elected representative or secured major political appointments despite its electoral contributions.
Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, the incumbent representative for Lagos Mainland, now faces an unprecedented internal challenge as party structures explicitly deny him a free pass in 2027—a rare rebuke for a two-decade legislator. The optics are clear: longevity no longer guarantees loyalty from party stakeholders, especially when grassroots agitation for inclusion grows louder. That Oshun managed only eight votes in a shadow primary, while Omolaja and Essien pulled significantly more, signals a shift in political confidence, not just ambition.
Behind the demand for open primaries lies a deeper narrative of regional inequity within Lagos Mainland's political architecture. The Ebute-Metta (West) group's protest since 1999 reflects a pattern of exclusion that transcends party cycles—despite consistent voter turnout, the area has been shut out of representation and appointments. This is not just about 2027; it is about correcting structural imbalances that have allowed certain zones to dominate political spoils while others remain invisible. The APC's internal dynamics are now being forced to confront these historical grievances.
For ordinary residents of Ebute-Metta (West), the outcome of the primary could determine whether their community finally gains access to federal representation and developmental attention. If the party ignores their call, voter apathy may rise; if it responds, it sets a precedent for inclusion beyond tokenism. This moment may redefine how political zones bargain for equity within dominant parties.
This episode fits a broader trend in Lagos politics: the decline of automatic re-election for incumbents, even in strongholds. From local councils to the National Assembly, party members are increasingly asserting internal democracy over deference, suggesting a slow but real evolution in political accountability.
