Emmanuel lkpeama
A coalition of the 2025 Chairmanship aspirants of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Lagos State and Stakeholders within the party in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has strongly opposed the alleged third-term ambition of the incumbent Executive Chairman, Princess Bolanle Samiat Bada.
In a petition submitted and sighted by investigator news to the APC Lagos State Working Committee and copied to key party leaders including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly,the group argued that Princess Bada’s continued bid for office violates both constitutional provisions and internal party democracy.
The petition signed by 13 aspirants, stated that Princess Bada, who assumed office following the death of her predecessor, Alhaji Fatai Oyesanya, and subsequently completed two full terms, is no longer eligible to seek re-election under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and APC’s guidelines.
The group listed six key reasons for Princess Bada’s disqualification such as constitutional violation, tenure elongation, abuse of party processes, erosion of internal democracy, perceived imposition without due process, and widespread public disapproval .
According to them, her candidacy would diminish public trust in the APC and undermine the integrity of the local democratic process.
“The coalition expressed deep concern regarding the eligibility of Princess Bada to contest in the forthcoming local government elections, citing violations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Princess Bada served as Vice-Chairman to the late Engr. Abdulfatai Oyesanya for six years. Following Engr. Oyesanya’s death, she assumed the position of Executive Chairman, completing his tenure and subsequently serving a full four-year term. The coalition has learned of her intention to seek a third term.”
“We seek justice. We seek fairness. We seek equal treatment,”they said
The coalition went further to call on the APC’s state leadership to disqualify Princess Bada from contesting and urged President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu to uphold the party’s constitution and democratic values. They also appealed to the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to intervene decisively to ensure the enforcement of party rules across all LGAs in the state.
“The coalition is calling upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to preserve internal democracy and fairness.We also request that Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) take urgent and decisive steps to ensure the uniform enforcement of party rules across all Local Government Areas.” The group stated.