Kunle Adelabu
The incumbent representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson will on Saturday contest for the fourth term to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 General Elections. But he has to face a challenge in former House of Reps candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in 2023, who is now a member of the ruling party, Mr Abdulkareem Shittu.
Although many have said that it is going to be a massive win for JB who has been enjoying overwhelming support from all corners of Ikorodu, his challenger too has shown no sign of backing down. Thus, the stage is set for the APC primary election for the House of Representatives in the 19 political Wards in Ikorodu.
The two aspirants are among the 91 aspirants cleared to contest for the 24 House of Reps seats in Lagos State.
About 100,000 registered members of the APC will on Saturday decide if they want the incumbent lawmaker who has been adjudged as the best in Nigeria to get the ticket for the fourth term or give Shittu who is new in the party to bring a fresh leaf into the federal constituency representation.
In Ikorodu Central of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, the five Wards where the election would hold are:
Ward A1: Etunrenren Pry School, Etunrenren Ikorodu
Ward A2: Ita Elewa Mini Stadium, Ita Elewa
Ward A3: Jamaltu Islamiyal Primary School
Ward A4 APC Party Secretariat (Anibaba Compound) Oke Ota Ona
In Ikorodu West LCDA, its just a Ward:
Ward A5 APC Party Secretariat, Oja Bus Stop, Agric
While Imota LCDA has two Wards:
Ward B1 UPE Stadium, Along Ajebo Rd, Imota
Ward B2 APC Party Secretariat Aje Street, Imota
Ikorodu North LCDA which is equally big has five political federal Wards:
Ward B3 Isiu Town Hall, Eweye Road, Isiu
Ward E1 Odogunyan Town Hall, Chetex Road, Odogunyan
Ward D2 Ilado Family Hall, Opposite Goodluck Filling Station, Parafa
Ward E3 APC Party Secretariat, Ogunleye Road, Opposite Alaka Filling Station, Sabo, and
Ward E4 Olorunda Town Hall, Olorunda
Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA also have five Wards:
Ward C1 Methodist Primary School, Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe Rd, Igbogbo
Ward C2 UAMC Eleja Primary School, Igbogbo
Ward D3 Gberigbe Primary school, Gberigbe
Ward C3 Community Health Centre, Baiyeku, and
Ward C4 Kith & Kin Field Ibeshe Road
The sixth council area in Ikorodu federal constituency- Ijede LCDA, has two Wards:
Ward D1 Ijede Reading Room/Library, Aiyegbami Bus Stop, Ijede
Ward D2 Okeletu Town Hall, Okeletu, Ijebu
APC had announced the adoption of direct primaries for all its primary elections, while also encouraging consensus arrangements if and when aspirants are willing to step down for one another, but that is not the case in Ikorodu.
Meanwhile, activities leading to the primary election has shown that it could be a walkover for the incumbent who has enjoyed endorsement by the leadership of the APC and its members. Also, critical stakeholders like royal fathers, students and youth groups, market and community associations among others have also endorsed Rep. Jimi Benson.
