By Ebunoluwa Sessou

A group, called Noheem Adams Support Group, has called on the leader of the Progressives Congress, APC, President Bola Tinubu and other party leaders to restore the mandate of the lawmaker representing Eti-Osa constituency 1.

In a protest staged at the second toll gate, Eleganza, Lekki, the party members, stakeholders, traditional institutions, youth and women, as well as residents of Eti-Osa Constituency I in Lagos State, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intervene in what they described as an attempt to disregard the outcome of the party’s primary election in the constituency.

Speaking at a world press conference on Thursday, Alhaji Owolabi Yisa urged the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, to ensure that the mandate freely given to the incumbent lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency I, Noheem Adams, is respected.

The stakeholders said Noheem Adams emerged as the overwhelming choice of APC members during the party’s primary election, defeating his closest rival, Saheed Bankole, by a wide margin.

According to figures presented at the briefing, Adams secured 7,638 votes across the constituency’s wards, while Bankole polled 1,225 votes, giving the incumbent lawmaker a margin of victory of 6,413 votes.

Describing the outcome as a clear expression of the will of party members, the group said the result was neither close nor disputed, but rather reflected overwhelming grassroots support for Adams.

“The will of the people was clearly expressed. This was not a narrow victory and it was not a disputed mandate. It was an overwhelming endorsement by party members across Eti-Osa Constituency I,” the stakeholders stated.

The group further noted that support for Adams extended beyond ordinary party members to include prominent APC leaders and elders in the constituency.
Among those listed were Tajudeen Olusi, Omo’ba Murphy Adetoro, Alhaji R.A. Alli, and Hon. Yahaya Adeniyi Dosunmu, whom they said participated in the primary process and demonstrated confidence in Adams’ representation.

According to the stakeholders, the lawmaker also enjoys the backing of traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, community development associations, professional groups and residents across the constituency.

They attributed Adams’ popularity to what they described as years of accessible leadership, community engagement, youth empowerment initiatives, educational support programmes, infrastructure advocacy and legislative effectiveness.

“The people know him, trust him and have repeatedly demonstrated confidence in him,” the group said.

The stakeholders, however, expressed concern that any move to overturn the outcome of the primary election could trigger internal divisions within the party and weaken its electoral fortunes.

They recalled the events leading to the 2023 elections, arguing that decisions perceived as inconsistent with the wishes of party members contributed to internal crises and electoral setbacks in some areas.

According to them, ignoring the democratic choice of party members often leads to demoralisation among supporters, weakened grassroots structures and opportunities for opposition parties to gain political advantage.

The group therefore appealed directly to President Tinubu to review the situation and ensure that fairness and democratic principles prevail.

They argued that the APC in Lagos was built on consultation, consensus and respect for grassroots structures, values they said should continue to guide the party.

The stakeholders also urged the APC National Chairman to protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process by ensuring that the preference expressed by members in Eti-Osa Constituency I is respected.

Similarly, they called on the Lagos State APC chairman to take immediate steps to address concerns raised by party members and work towards preserving party unity and electoral success.

While reaffirming their loyalty to the APC and support for President Tinubu’s administration, the stakeholders insisted that genuine unity could only be sustained through justice and fairness.

“Let the voice of APC members in Eti-Osa Constituency I be heard. Let the mandate freely expressed by thousands of party members be respected. Let democracy prevail over imposition, justice over expediency, and unity over division,” they said.

The statement was signed by Alhaji Owolabi Yisa on behalf of apex leaders, stakeholders, traditional institutions, youth and women groups, and residents of Eti-Osa Constituency I.

Meanwhile, the publicity secretary of the Eti-Osa 1, Alhaji Surajudeen Abejamu, said the protest was to appeal to the consciousness of the leaders to restore the stolen mandate.

“We are here on behalf of the primary election votes we cast for Honorable Nojeem Babatunde Adams,” he said.

“He has been in the House since 2017 and he is the only person who has been working assiduously especially at this last dispensation.

“This is a man who has acted like a senator to us because we another who never even cares for any of us.

“He has acted on behalf of the government. When we have any problems, you always signal him, he is here.
“When you are in need of government, you signal him and he will come. At all times, there is nothing he has not been doing. We have here as a problem that you don’t see his impact in it,” he said.

Another member, Lukman Abiodun, echoed the same sentiment.

“I am a leader here. Here we voted and Nojeem won his election. Our movement is basing its call on the fact that Nojeem Adams was the people’s choice and he won the primary.

“He was voted across the 13 wards in Eti-Osa 1, which he won with a margin of 7,638 while he closest challenger got 1,225.

“We are seeking and calling the attention of President Bola Tinubu. We are calling on the national chairman of the great party, APC, and the Lagos State governor, including the state chairman of our party Ojelabi, to look into our requests, to give us our mandates.

“Nojeem Adams was being voted for in Eti-Osa 1 and he won the election. He is the people’s choice.