Chairmanship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State for the July 12 Local Government election have emerged, after the delegate-based primaries conducted in various local council over the weekend.
Correspondents of BusinessDay who monitored the exercise in few council areas, including Ifako-Ijaiye, Surulere, Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, report that the exercise was relatively peaceful.
At Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Seyi Ipinlaye, a former Secretary to Amuwo-Odofin Local Government emerged the LP’s candidate after the contest.
The primary election was held on Friday at 7th Avenue, Festac Town saw scores of LP’s loyalists gathered with delegates for the shadow election.
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The Chairman of the LP’s Electoral Committee for the primary, Chigozie Ezue, said that out of the 70 delegates drawn from seven wards in LG, only 68 were accredited for the primaries.
He said that Ipinlaye polled 56 delegate votes to defeat his rival, Taiwo Akinseyi, who scored six votes, while a vote was voided.
Declaring the winner, the Returning Officer said, “I, Chigozie Ezue, hereby certify that as the Returning Officer sent from national headquarter of our great party for 2025 LG chairmanship primary election for Lagos State.
“The Primary election was contested. Ipinlaye Akinseyi Adewale polled 56 votes while Taiwo Akinseyi polled six votes.
“That Ipinlaye Akinseyi Adewale from Amuwo Odofin, having satisfied the requirements of the law, LP constitution and Primary Election guidelines is hereby declared winner and is returned elected as the party’s flagbearer for the July 12, 2025 Lagos State Local Government election.
Responding after the declaration, Ipinlaye, who expressed excitement, assured delegates that he would not fail the people.
“I know the people want me to represent them. They know I will give them good representation.
“During our tenure, Amuwo-Odofin will be known for greatness. We are saying “no’ to bad roads in Amuwo-Odofin. We are assuring Amuwo-Odofin a new lease of life.
“We are hitting the ground running by the grace of God. Your votes will be counted and they will be defended.
“Our people should not be afraid. We are confident that LASIEC will not cheat us,” Ipinlaye said.
Also speaking, the Amuwo-Odofin LP Chairman, Obinna Emefoh, described the process as being free and peaceful and expressed confidence that the party would win the election.
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On the chances of LP, Emefoh said: “If we follow the results of the 2023 presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections, everyone will know that Amuwo-Odofin is for Labour Party.
“We are not shaking on this one, we are fully prepared. Amuwo-Odofin is for Labour Party, we are going to clear al the votes this time again and we will stand to defend our votes.
“Amuwo-Odofin is one, there is no faction here,” he said.
On why the process was not monitored by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Emefoh said that the commission was invited but failed to show up.
“We don’t know the technicality that made the commission not to be here and that is why we are making this public so that the commission will see the transparency not what we did,” he said.
Similarly, in Ojokoro Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), the LP Chairman, Electoral Committee of Ojokoro LCDA, Humulikheaii Jaiyeola, declared Oluwafemi Fadairo, as the winner and candidate of the party.
Jaiyeola said that Fadairo polled 58 delegate votes to defeat his rival, Dayo Popoola, who scored three votes while a vote was voided.
Commending the delegates for their patience and cooperation, Popoola said the exercise was credible and carried out in the interest of the party.
Responding after declaration, Fadairo appreciated the party leaders and delegates for the overwhelming votes, promising not to let them down.
Read also: Lagos Electoral Commission meets stakeholders ahead of July 12 local council poll
Meanwhile, speaking with journalists, Lagos State LP Chairman, Dayo Ekong, said that the primaries went well in almost all the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs.
“It has been quite an interesting one and I am particularly happy that the LGAs primaries went well in almost all local governments.
“It was free, credible and transparent. For areas with some issues, we thank God the security operatives invited were able to douse tension and agitations and at the end of the day, the primary held.
“It was quite a successful exercise for the Labour Party councillorship and chairmanship primaries in Lagos,” Ekong said.
According to her, Abudu Akinlola, emerged winner in Ojo LG, Biola Samson emerged un-opposed in Oriade LCDA, while Hassan Ademola won the primary in Itire-Ikate LCDA.
She listed winners in other LGs and LCDAs to include Abiodun Adegun (Coker Aguda); Abdulaziz Awesu (Ikorodu Central ); Silifat Agbalaye (Badagry Central); Adedayo Ashade (Ifako-Ijaiye); Temitope Adulola (Iba) and Chioma Nzefili (Oto-Awori).
According to her, others are: Paul Ayanlola (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye); Kabiru Koleosho (Mushin); Rasak Salako (Isolo), Michael Olusegun (Ikoyi-Obalende); Lateef Liasu (Iru-Victorla Island) and John Akano (Eti-Osa).
Others are: Adewale Elegbeleye (Eti-Osa East); Anthonia Oyeneye (Kosofe); Adedotun Shoyemi (Agboyi-Ketu); Olajide Akinola (Ikorodu North); Bolanle Ajose (Ikorodu West) and Adetolu Akinnubi (Ikotun-Igando).
Others winners are: Gideon Adeniran (Alimosho), Olayemi Olajide (Ijede); Bolaji Oluriwale (Mosan Okunola)
Meanwhile, the LP will only present councillorship candidates in Yaba Ibeju-Lekki, and Apapa LGs because there were no chairmanship aspirant in the council.
Read also: Lagos LG poll: Aggrieved APC members continues protest over candidates imposition
Councils with no chairmanship and councillorship aspirants for LP include, Surulere, Lekki, Agege, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ikosi-Isheri, Somolu, Epe, Ifelodun; and Ajeromi Ifelodun.
Other LGs and LCDAs where the party has no chairmanship candidates include: Igbogbo/Bayeku; Ejigbo; Lagos Island East; Lagos Island West; Ikosi Ejinrin; Orile Agege; Imota; Olorunda; Eredo; Ayobo Ipaja; Apapa Iganmu; Bariga; Ojodu; Egbe- Idimu; Onigbongbo and Agbada Oke-Odo.
She said that there would be a rerun primaries in Oshodi Isolo LG over complaints of disenfranchisement from some delegates.
LP held its councillorship primaries on Thursday across various wards and Chairmanship primaries in various LG on Friday and Saturday.
