The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary for Apapa Constituency I ahead of the 2027 elections.
She secured 2,926 votes to defeat three other contestants in the exercise conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The primary, held at Ijora Oloye Nursery and Primary School, Ijora, on Wednesday, commenced around 1:00 p.m. and was conducted peacefully despite a large turnout of party members and delegates.
Delegates and party agents had earlier arrived at about 9:00 a.m., while operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) provided security at the venue.
Four aspirants contested the ticket: Meranda, Esan Adedotun, Mike Egbayelo, and Elizabeth Toluwalope.
Meranda arrived at the venue at about 12:45 p.m. to a warm reception from supporters and expressed appreciation for the turnout, saying, “I thank you all for the support; it is massive.”
The APC youth leader in Ijora, Adams Aremu, described Meranda as enjoying strong grassroots support, calling the exercise a “victory day” for her candidacy.
He said her constituency projects cut across several wards and had earned her widespread community backing, including initiatives supporting small businesses.
Another party leader, Joseph Layode, said residents had expressed their confidence in her through the ballot and commended her performance in office, adding that she could become the next Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
A delegate, Folasade Ojomo, also backed her candidacy, saying continuity would benefit the constituency.
In a separate result from an earlier ward-level exercise across five wards in Apapa Constituency I, Meranda reportedly polled 6,062 votes, while her closest rival, Ayo Vaughan, scored 1,385 votes.
In her reaction to the victory, Meranda dedicated the outcome to party members in her constituency.
In a statement issued on Thursday, she said: “To the leaders of our great party, the dedicated delegates, my political family, and the good people of Apapa Constituency I, I express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming show of love, trust, and confidence reposed in me at the just concluded APC primaries.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every person who believes in our shared vision of progress, unity, and purposeful representation. Your support humbles me and strengthens my resolve to continue serving with diligence, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of our constituency.”
She also pledged continued service to her constituents, adding: “I do not take this renewed mandate for granted, and by the grace of God, I will continue to work tirelessly for the peace, progress, and prosperity of our people.”
NAN
