Key Points
- Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, won the APC primary for Apapa Constituency I with 2,926 votes.
- The primary election recorded a massive turnout of party faithful and was conducted peacefully under tight security.
- Party members and delegates praised Meranda’s grassroots influence and performance in office.
Main story
Mrs Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Apapa Constituency I after polling 2,926 votes.
The primary election, held on Wednesday at Ijora Oloye Nursery and Primary School in Ijora, Lagos, witnessed a large turnout of party members and delegates across the constituency.
Meranda defeated three other aspirants — Esan Adedotun, Mike Egbayelo and Elizabeth Toluwalope, to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the next legislative election.
The exercise commenced around 1:00 p.m. and was reportedly peaceful despite the massive crowd that gathered at the venue.
Delegates and party agents had arrived earlier in the day, while operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) maintained security throughout the exercise.
Meranda arrived at the venue around 12:45 p.m. to loud cheers from supporters and party loyalists.
Addressing APC faithful shortly after her arrival, she expressed appreciation for the support received from party members.
“I thank you all for the support; it is massive,” she said.
The Issues
The primary election reflects the growing influence of grassroots mobilisation in Lagos politics, particularly within the APC structure in Apapa Constituency I.
Party stakeholders attributed Meranda’s victory to her visibility in the constituency and support for community-based projects and small businesses.
Observers also noted that the peaceful conduct of the exercise despite the heavy turnout underscored the party’s efforts to maintain internal cohesion during the primaries.
What’s being said
Mr Adams Aremu, APC youth leader in Ijora, described the outcome as a “victory day” for Meranda, saying she enjoyed widespread grassroots support across the constituency.
According to him, the deputy speaker’s constituency projects had positively impacted residents across different wards in Apapa.
Another APC executive, Joseph Layode, said voters had expressed confidence in Meranda’s leadership through the ballot.
He added that her performance in office had positioned her as a strong contender for greater leadership responsibilities within the Assembly.
“She could become the next Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he said.
A delegate, Mrs Folasade Ojomo, also backed Meranda’s re-election bid, stressing that continuity would benefit the constituency.
What’s next
With the APC ticket secured, Meranda is expected to intensify consultations and political mobilisation ahead of the general election.
Attention is also likely to shift toward leadership dynamics within the Lagos Assembly, as political stakeholders speculate on possible future roles for the deputy speaker.
Bottom line
Mojisola Meranda’s decisive victory in the APC primary underscores her strong political foothold in Apapa Constituency I and reinforces her standing within the Lagos APC structure ahead of the forthcoming elections.
