The gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections are almost upon us. In less than one day, on March 18, 2023, voters will determine whether to reward some politicians with another four years or give way to a new administration.
For Lagosians, the state elections are particularly interesting due to the upset previously caused by the Labour Party (LP) during the presidential elections on February 25, 2023.
For example, although Lagos was supposedly a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and now president-elect Bola Tinubu, he lost the state to the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The LP also won the House of Representatives seats in the Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Oshodi-Isolo II federal constituencies.
Therefore, it won’t be surprising if we get shocking results at the polls. So, here are five constituencies to watch out for on March 18.
Surulere I
The current representative for the Surulere Constituency I is a Nollywood actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot. He’s a member of the APC and has been in an endless battle with the Gen-Zs since his comments during the #EndSars protests.
A significant threat to his re-election is the LP candidate, Olumide Owuru, a Nollywood actor and a political greenhorn. To get on the good side of the electorate, the APC candidate has stepped up his game from gifting his constituents wooden bridges to providing them with brand-new transformers.
If we had elections every year, Nigeria would become more developed than Japan.
Eti-Osa II
The Eti-Osa Federal Constituency made the news in the last general elections on February 25, when the LP candidate, Thaddeus Attah, defeated PDP candidate Bankole Wellington, who was expected to win.
The incumbent representative for the Eti-Osa Constituency II in the State House of Assembly is Gbolahan Yishawu of the APC. But should we expect another upset from this constituency by the LP candidate, Fangnon Gbemi, on March 18?
Ikorodu II
The APC candidate for this constituency is Abiodun Moshood, who was formerly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After winning the APC primaries, Hon. Olarenwaju Oshin, Chairman of the PDP Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu, alleged that Abiodun was still a member of the PDP.
A case was filed in court against the APC aspirant, but it was dismissed on the grounds of no evidence. The odds favour Abiodun winning the State Assembly elections for the forthcoming elections.
Amuwo Odofin I
The PDP has been facing trying times in the Lagos State House of Assembly. In 2019, the last PDP member in the house, Dipo Olorunrinu representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency, defected to the APC.
This year, the PDP can take back this constituency with their candidate, Davies Alaba Emmanuel. However, it would take a miracle to defeat the APC candidate, Foloruso Olaitan.
Oshodi/Isolo II
The Eti-Osa federal constituency wasn’t the only one that shocked Lagosians with its results. The same thing was witnessed in the Oshodi/Isolo constituency when APC’s Prince Lanre Sanusi lost over 33,000 votes to LP’s George Adegeye.
Will the LP candidate for the State Assembly, Obanufin Shehu, continue the party’s winning streak in the constituency, or will he lose the seat to APC’s Ajomale Oluyinka?
Also read: Navigating Nigeria: Five Interesting Governorship Elections This Weekend
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