By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday reaffirmed Hon. Samiat Abolanle Bada as the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), despite continued opposition from a coalition of aggrieved aspirants.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the State House, Marina, the governor presented party flags to chairmanship candidates from all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs in Lagos State, officially endorsing them ahead of the July 12 council elections.
Hon. Bada’s inclusion among the flag recipients further solidifies her position as the APC’s recognised candidate for Ikosi-Isheri LCDA. She was accompanied to the event by key political allies, including Hon. Afolabi Kazeem (ABK), former Executive Secretary of the council and current treasurer of her campaign team, along with several councilorship candidates and other stakeholders.
Her endorsement comes in the wake of persistent objections from the Coalition of Chairmanship Aspirants in Ikosi-Isheri, who have called for her disqualification based on alleged violations of tenure limits under the newly enacted Lagos State Local Government Administrative Law.
The aspirants argue that Bada, who first assumed office as vice chairman and later completed the term of her late predecessor before securing a fresh mandate in 2021, is ineligible to contest again.
However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s gesture at the high-level meeting is being interpreted by political observers as a final seal of approval, likely putting to rest the weeks-long controversy.
Reacting to the development, Odeyemi Richard, a leader in the Kosofe School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), said: “With her recognition at the stakeholders’ meeting, it is no longer in doubt—she is either highly favoured or simply blessed.”
The APC’s resolute backing of Bada underscores its stance on internal cohesion and party supremacy, setting the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely contested election in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.