Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday reaffirmed Hon. Samiat Abolanle Bada as the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), igniting fresh outrage among party aspirants and jubilation from opposition groups who believe her candidacy may not withstand legal scrutiny.
The endorsement came during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Lagos State House, Marina, where Sanwo-Olu handed party flags to chairmanship candidates from the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs across the state ahead of the July 12 local council elections.
Hon. Bada’s inclusion among the officially endorsed candidates has cemented her status as the APC’s flagbearer for a second term in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA. She was accompanied by loyal political allies, including Hon. Afolabi Kazeem (ABK), a former Executive Secretary of the council and current treasurer of her campaign team, along with several councilorship candidates and stakeholders.
However, the endorsement has sparked backlash from within the APC. Members of the Coalition of Chairmanship Aspirants in Ikosi-Isheri have kicked against Bada’s candidacy, insisting it violates constitutional provisions under the newly enacted Lagos State Local Government Administrative Law.
The aggrieved aspirants argue that Bada first served as vice chairman, then completed the term of her late predecessor, and finally secured her own full mandate in 2021—actions they believe exceed legal tenure limits and disqualify her from seeking another term.
“The governor’s action is a slap on internal democracy and due process,” one of the aspirants told Lagos Reporters. “We’re prepared to test this illegality in court.”
Meanwhile, opposition figures in the LCDA have been jubilant, expressing optimism that a successful legal challenge against Bada could pave the way for their victory at the polls.
Despite the brewing legal threats and internal dissent, Sanwo-Olu’s backing has shifted political momentum in Bada’s favor—at least for now—strengthening her grip on the APC ticket while intensifying the storm around her eligibility.
Lagostrendradiotv will provide continued coverage of the unfolding events leading to the July 12 council elections.
