Several principal officers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have lost their return tickets in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development marks one of the most significant political shake-ups within the Assembly since the start of the current political cycle.
A review of the APC candidates’ list showed that some of the House’s most influential figures, including the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, failed to secure renomination.
Among the prominent lawmakers affected is Noheem Babatunde Adams, the Assembly Majority Leader representing Eti-Osa Constituency I.
Adams was one of the central figures in the January 2025 leadership crisis that temporarily removed Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Also absent from the APC candidates’ list are Chief Whip Fatai Mojeed of Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I, Deputy Chief Whip David Setonji, and Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Kasunmu.
The lawmaker representing Surulere I, Desmond Elliott, also lost his ticket.
The primaries produced several new entrants across different constituencies, signalling what party insiders described as a broader generational and structural recalibration within the Lagos APC.
Among the new names on the party’s candidates’ list are Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who emerged in Surulere Constituency I after defeating Elliott in a controversial primary.
Others include Adeseyi Lawal in Ikeja Constituency I, Gbolahan Yishawu in Eti-Osa Constituency II, Mayowa Alakija, Toyin Gafar, Saheed Bankole, Saad Olumoh, and Rasheed Shabi.
The list also reflected the continued political strength of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa secured the APC ticket for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, while candidates believed to be aligned with him emerged in both Agege Assembly constituencies.
Despite the widespread changes, some influential lawmakers retained their positions.
Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda is expected to return to the Assembly for Apapa Constituency I after securing renomination.
Several other incumbents across the state also retained their tickets.
The outcome of the primaries has intensified speculation over the future leadership structure of the Lagos Assembly after the 2027 elections.
Political observers believe the development may reshape power blocs within the House, especially after the deep divisions exposed during the 2025 speakership crisis.
According to The PUNCH, party insiders, however, described the changes as part of broader efforts to rebalance political interests within the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship succession battle in Lagos State.
