By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Two former APC aspirants have moved to the APM in Agege following disputes over the party’s Assembly tickets, while Lanre Carew’s return to the APC is reshaping political alignments in Kosofe ahead of 2027.
Fresh political realignments in two Lagos constituencies are putting renewed attention on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, with disputes over Assembly tickets triggering defections in Agege and the return of a former opposition candidate strengthening the party’s internal alignment in Kosofe.
In Agege, former Local Government Chairman Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, popularly known as Ninolowo, have left the APC for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) after losing their party’s tickets for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Egunjobi is contesting Agege Constituency I, while Yusuf is seeking the Constituency II seat. Both subsequently emerged as APM candidates for their respective constituencies in substitution primaries held on September 17.
The move follows a dispute over the APC’s primary outcomes.
Egunjobi had challenged the result of the Agege Constituency I primary after he was initially reported to have secured 9,132 votes, ahead of Oluwagbenga Abiola, who polled 434 votes. The APC subsequently recognised Abiola as its candidate.
For Constituency II, Enimakure Akindele Sakiru emerged as the APC candidate, replacing Yusuf in the party’s ticket.
The defections have renewed questions about the effect of unresolved primary disputes on the APC’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 election.
However, both Egunjobi and Yusuf have rejected suggestions that their departure was orchestrated by Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who has been associated with both politicians. They said their decisions were based on their individual experiences with the primary process.
Carew’s return reshapes Kosofe alignment
In Kosofe, the political trajectory has taken a different turn with the return of Hon. Lanre Carew to the APC after his 2023 contest under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Carew previously contested the Kosofe Constituency I Assembly election on the SDP platform after leaving the APC following disagreements over the party’s primary process.
In the 2023 election, Carew polled strongly enough to remain a significant factor in a closely contested race. Contemporary reports recorded that APC candidate Sanni Ganiu Okanlawon defeated Labour Party candidate Akinwande Osikominu by a margin of 86 votes, while Carew ran on the SDP platform.
Carew has since returned to active participation within the APC’s grassroots structure in Kosofe. His reintegration has attracted attention among party stakeholders because of the support base he demonstrated during previous electoral contests.
His return also comes as the APC prepares for another competitive election cycle in the constituency, with party leaders seeking to consolidate their structures ahead of 2027.
Two different paths ahead of 2027
The developments in Agege and Kosofe illustrate contrasting approaches to intra-party disputes and realignment ahead of the next general elections.
In Agege, disagreements over the outcome and subsequent recognition of Assembly candidates have resulted in two former APC aspirants moving to another political platform.
In Kosofe, a former APC aspirant who previously contested outside the party has returned to its fold, potentially altering relationships among grassroots actors and party stakeholders.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the ability of the APC to manage internal disagreements, accommodate returning members and maintain cohesion across its local structures is likely to remain an important feature of political activity in both constituencies.