The ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday recorded a major political milestone in Lagos State as three serving senators representing the state at the National Assembly secured return tickets to contest in next year’s general elections.
The senators — Idiat Adebule, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni and Tokunbo Abiru — emerged as consensus candidates of the APC following affirmation exercises conducted across the three senatorial districts in the state.
The exercise, which drew thousands of party members and loyalists, was supervised by the chairman of the National Assembly Primary Committee, Shehu Yipmong, who commended party faithful for their orderly conduct and massive turnout during the shadow poll.
Yipmong, while addressing journalists after monitoring the process in different locations across Lagos, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and devoid of any form of intimidation, coercion or manipulation.
According to him, the affirmation process reflected the internal unity and democratic culture within the APC in Lagos State, adding that party members freely endorsed the candidates based on their performances and contributions to the growth of the party and the state.
He noted that the successful conduct of the exercise further demonstrated the strength and organisational capacity of the APC ahead of the forthcoming elections.
At Awori Senior College in Ojo, which served as the venue for the grand affirmation for Lagos West, party members gathered in large numbers as supporters of Senator Adebule chanted slogans and displayed banners expressing confidence in her leadership.
The atmosphere at the venue was festive, with party supporters arriving early in the morning dressed in APC colours while local musicians entertained the crowd ahead of the commencement of the exercise.
Electoral officer Rotimi Abiru, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, said the process was conducted peacefully and according to the guidelines laid down by the party leadership.
He explained that party members participated voluntarily in affirming Adebule’s candidature by presenting their party membership cards and identifying themselves as registered APC members.
According to him, the orderly conduct of the participants reflected the maturity of the party’s internal democratic process and the confidence reposed in the senator by her constituents and party stakeholders.
Rotimi Abiru also praised party officials and security personnel for ensuring a hitch-free exercise throughout the event.
Senator Adebule, who expressed gratitude to party members after her affirmation, described the endorsement as a call to greater service and commitment to the people of Lagos West.
She thanked party leaders, women groups, youths and grassroots mobilisers for their unwavering support, promising not to disappoint the confidence reposed in her.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State said she would continue to focus on legislation and empowerment initiatives capable of improving the welfare of constituents and promoting national development.
In Lagos Central, Senator Eshilokun-Sanni also received overwhelming support from delegates and party faithful who gathered to affirm his candidacy for another term in office.
Supporters hailed his representation at the Senate, particularly his involvement in community development initiatives and legislative interventions aimed at addressing social and economic challenges affecting residents of the district.
Party members who spoke at the event described him as accessible and committed to grassroots politics, insisting that his return to the Senate would further strengthen Lagos Central’s voice at the National Assembly.
Similarly, Senator Tokunbo Abiru secured affirmation as the APC consensus candidate for Lagos East amid cheers from supporters and political stakeholders in the district.
Abiru, a former banker and financial expert, was praised for his constituency projects, youth empowerment schemes and legislative contributions since joining the Senate.
Party leaders in Lagos East said his performance and relationship with constituents made him the preferred choice of APC members across the district.
The APC leadership in Lagos State also commended the peaceful conduct of members during the exercise, noting that the consensus arrangement was adopted to sustain unity and avoid unnecessary rancour within the party.
The state party chairman, who accompanied members of the National Assembly Primary Committee during the monitoring exercise, thanked members for their dedication, discipline and loyalty to the APC.
He urged party supporters to remain united ahead of the next general elections, stressing that the strength of the party lies in its ability to resolve issues internally and work collectively toward electoral victory.
Political observers believe the successful affirmation of the three senators signals the beginning of intense political activities in Lagos ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Analysts also note that the adoption of consensus candidates may help the APC preserve internal cohesion in a state widely regarded as one of its strongest political strongholds.
The affirmation exercise across Lagos was conducted under tight security, with party officials maintaining order at the various venues while supporters celebrated the emergence of the candidates.
For many party faithful, Monday’s exercise was more than a routine political event; it was seen as a demonstration of solidarity and continuity within the APC structure in Lagos State.
As preparations intensify for the general elections next year, the APC leadership appears determined to consolidate its hold on Lagos by presenting experienced candidates with established political structures and grassroots support.
With the return tickets secured, attention is now expected to shift toward broader campaign strategies, mobilisation efforts and preparations for what political analysts predict could be another fiercely contested electoral cycle in the country.
