Following the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), list of candidates for elective positions in 2019, two of the seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), could not secure return ticket for 2019 polls.
Also three out of the 19 first term lawmakers in the 8th Assembly lost their bid to come back for a second term, following their defeat at the primary.
The two PDP defectors who could not make it are: the former Minority Leader, Mr. Akeem Bello representing Amuwo Odofin 2 Constituency and Mr. Adedayo Famakinwa representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1 constituency.
The three first termers who also lost out at the primary are: Mr. Sola Giwa representing Lagos Mainland 2 Constituency, Bello and Famakinwa.
Although reliable sources at the Assembly said the defectors were promised automatic return tickets, the party’s decision to subject the aspirants to direct primaries have worked against that promise for Bello and Famakinwa who could not pull their weight at the primary.
Although Bello’s name was in the first list released by INEC, his name is however, not in the latest list released by the electoral body Friday last week.
The 8th Lagos Assembly started with eight opposition lawmakers from PDP and seven of them later defected to the ruling APC and only five were able to secure return tickets.