Grassroots leaders and party stakeholders in Lagos State have issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu to resolve an escalating row over the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination for Eti-Osa Constituency I, warning that internal party democratic processes are being undermined.

The dispute centres on the party’s selection process held on 20 May 2026. Local party figures maintain that Noheem Adams, the current majority leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, won the primary election in a landslide, polling 7,638 votes against 1,225 recorded by his challenger, Saheed Bankole.

However, the official candidate list published by the APC’s Lagos State chapter named Bankole as the party’s flagbearer, sparking widespread disquiet among local members and community representatives.

Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC chairman in Lagos State, defended the published list, stating that the state chapter was merely acting as a conduit for decisions made at the national level.

“The state executive merely published the results submitted by the committee constituted by the party’s national leadership,” Ojelabi said.

In a joint statement signed by ward leaders, religious figures, resident associations, artisans and youth and women’s representatives, alongside leaders from the local Igbo and Hausa communities, the coalition urged Tinubu to draw on his political authority as party leader to broker a resolution.

The signatories wrote:

“Politics is local. We seek justice, but we equally seek peace. We seek restoration, but we equally seek reconciliation.

“Our appeal is not intended to oppose or embarrass any individual or party leader, but to seek a resolution that would promote reconciliation and unity within the APC.”

Party insiders suggest that the rift reflects broader friction between local grassroots structures and national party executives over candidate selection ahead of upcoming elections.

The coalition led by Eti-Osa Apex leader, Sulaimon Jamiu argued that upholding the results from the 20 May vote is essential to restoring confidence in the party’s internal democratic procedures and maintaining electoral stability within the constituency.

As the party leadership considers its response, supporters of Adams insist that only the reinstatement of his mandate will prevent deepening divisions in Eti-Osa.