By Lekan Lawal
Following the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Lagos State, community leaders, party faithful, and political analysts have strongly pushed back against critics questioning the democratic legitimacy of the exercise in Kosofe Federal Constituency.
The reactions follow a wave of media commentary accusing the party of failing its gender inclusion policy after the May 16 primaries. However, local stakeholders have dismissed these claims as an “afterthought,” pointing out deep flaws, factual gaps, and a lack of timely engagement from the aggrieved camps.
The primary objection raised by grassroots party members centers on the timing of the grievances. Analysts argue that if the inclusion framework or the operational rules of the primary were fundamentally flawed, the time to campaign, lobby, and demand structural adjustments was well before the first ballot was cast.
“You cannot participate in a process, wait for a winner to emerge, and then attempt to invalidate the outcome based on gender policy,” said a senior Kosofe APC ward leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The rules of engagement were clear from day one. Bringing up these objections now looks less like a defense of women’s rights and more like a grievance over losing.”
Community advocates emphasize that democracy relies on predefined rules, not retroactive adjustments to suit specific demographics after an election has concluded.
The recent media narrative has also faced heavy criticism for apparent bias and selective representation. Critics have questioned why a particular aspirant, Remi Odunsi, was heavily promoted by certain media sources as the rightful heir to the ticket, completely bypassing the actual runner-up of the election.
Official records from the Kosofe primary show that the immediate past Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke secured the second-place position behind the declared male winner.
“If the argument is genuinely about fairness and respecting the will of the people, why is the media ignoring the woman who actually came second?” asked a political analyst tracking the Lagos primaries. “Promoting the third-placed or less-voted aspirant over Arobieke exposes a personal agenda. It completely undermines the credibility of the narrative.”
By championing one specific candidate over the actual runner-up, critics argue that the post-election commentators are guilty of the very manipulation they claim to fight.
Local constituents have also defended the decision to move away from the incumbent, Kafilat Ogbara, stating that representation must be earned through performance rather than gender considerations.
Party members argued that the primary function of an election is accountability. If a representative fails to meet the expectations of their constituency, the democratic solution is replacement. Community members expressed that replacing an underperforming female official with another candidate solely to fill a “gender quota” treats public office as a token rather than a position of service.
While the APC maintains its foundational commitment to affirmative action—evidenced by discounted nomination fees and mobilization drives—Kosofe party leaders insist that these policies are designed to grant access, not guarantee victories.
As the party prepares for the 2027 general elections, the consensus among Kosofe stakeholders is clear: the primaries were a reflection of internal democratic dynamics, and the focus must now shift toward party unity and delivering effective representation for the entire constituency.