15/06/2026
Esteemed members of the leadership,
My name is Raymond Oladapo Eturugo, and I stand before you today not as an adversary, but as a dedicated Political Analyst and Community Advocate deeply invested in the enduring integrity of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). I am here to elaborate on the petition I have formally submitted concerning the candidacy of Hon. Engr. Abiola Okanlawan Olowu for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ibeju-Lekki Constituency 1.
Let me be unequivocally clear: this petition is not born of a desire to undermine any individual. Rather, it is a crucial intervention aimed at illuminating a potentially perilous path that could tarnish the very fabric of our party's reputation. The APC was forged on a foundation of unwavering integrity, and it is my solemn conviction that we cannot, and must not, permit this integrity to be compromised, irrespective of any group or entity.
My commitment to the APC and the progressive ideals it represents is a matter of public record. Since joining the ranks of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political movement in 2007, I have dedicated myself to its cause. I will not stand idly by and witness its hard-won reputation jeopardized through preventable oversights.
My petition addresses a critical constitutional matter. Based on my understanding of both the APC's internal regulations and the electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there are significant questions surrounding the eligibility of Hon. Engr. Abiola Okanlawan Olowu.
I implore the leadership of Ibeju-Lekki Constituency 1 to thoroughly examine these concerns. Our political adversaries are observing, and we must not inadvertently hand them a victory through legal challenges that could arise post-election. Hon. Engr. Abiola Okanlawan Olowu continues to receive his monthly allowances and emoluments as the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Commerce and Industry. This situation raises serious questions about his compliance with constitutional provisions regarding resignation from public office prior to seeking nomination.
To proceed with his candidacy under these circumstances risks a deeply regrettable outcome: a victory in the general election rendered hollow and ultimately lost in the courts. Such an event would not only be a disservice to the electorate but would also cast a shadow of shame upon our collective efforts and the APC's standing.
The presentation of a backdated resignation letter, as I understand from available evidence, would not stand as a valid defense under any constitutional interpretation. As of this moment, and prior to the APC's primary elections, there is no verifiable record of his resignation from his appointed position. Presenting such a document would indeed constitute malpractices.
Thank you for your valuable time and for your serious reconsideration of my petition. I trust in your commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity for our party and our constituency.