Politics

By Suliyat Tella

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Somolu Local Council, Lagos State, faces heightened tension as party loyalists and stakeholders call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they describe as an unjust chairmanship selection process.

At the centre of the dispute is Bowale Sosimi, a grassroots politician and long-time APC loyalist, who was initially endorsed as the consensus candidate by the local party. However, his name was suddenly dropped in favor of another aspirant, sparking anger and allegations of manipulation.

This is not the first time Sosimi has been sidelined. In 2017, his name was similarly withdrawn from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) list after a last-minute change, allegedly influenced by the late Senator Bayo Osinowo. That maneuver cleared the way for Abdul Hamed Salawu (Dullar), now a two-term chairman.

Stakeholders now accuse the APC’s election coordinator in Lagos—an ally of President Tinubu—of truncating Sosimi’s candidacy, reportedly using religion as justification for imposing a different candidate. This claim stirred controversy in the Somolu Muslim community, especially over a letter attributed to the Chief Imam, Sheikh Boonyamin Dabiri, requesting the selection of a Muslim candidate.

Key Muslim leaders, however, have distanced themselves from the letter, calling it unauthorized. Alhaji Alabi Yunusa, Chairman-General of the Somolu Muslim community, said the Imam acted without authority and that official correspondence must bear signatures from both the Chairman-General and the General Secretary. Alhaji Rabiu Fatai, the General Secretary, labeled the letter an aberration.

Alhaja Nurat Lawal, Iya Suna of the community, condemned the politicization of religion, pointing out that previous Muslim chairmen failed to significantly benefit the community. She urged fairness and warned against religious bias in political leadership at the grassroots.

Party loyalists, community leaders, and observers jointly appeal to President Tinubu to investigate the situation, reverse the decision, and reinstate Sosimi’s candidacy.