… Members unaware of consensus in some councils, reason for protests-Source
Some dissatisfied members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), staged protest on Sunday and Monday over what they described as the imposition of chairmanship candidates in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba Loca council Development Area (LCDA), among others ahead of the July 12 local government election in Lagos State.
Further protest is expected at the APC secretariat in Ogba on Tuesday and in some other parts of the state, especially Shomolu.
The Aggrieved APC members have vowed to continue the protest until necessary action is taken to correct the injustice done to their candidates.
The protest followed the party’s chairmanship primary held at its state secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, where candidates for most of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) emerged via consensus and indirect voting.
As of Sunday evening, over 50 chairmanship candidates have emerged from the APC primaries across Lagos State.
However, consensus reportedly failed in the Lagos Mainland and Yaba councils, leading to unrest among party members.
On Monday, some Aggrieved party members gathered along Apapa Road in Ebute Metta and later took their demonstration to Arise TV headquarters in Victoria Island, accused local party leaders of attempting to impose unpopular candidates without securing the consent of other aspirants.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Taorid Owolabi insisted that no true consensus was reached and called for a rescheduled primary in the affected councils.
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He warned that any imposed candidacy would be challenged in court unless all aspirants agreed unanimously.
According to the protesters, the alleged imposition undermines the democratic principles the party claims to uphold and could fuel internal divisions ahead of the local polls.
He said, “Despite extensive consultations among aspirants within both LGAs, no consensus had been reached. This further underscore the need for a transparent and inclusive process.
“We respectfully call on the State Working Committee to reschedule the primary for a later date and select a suitable venue.
We also urge the adoption of revised guidelines that reflect the peculiar circumstances in our LG and LCDA, in full compliance with the provisions of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
Another protester, Sodeeq Olawepo, cautioned that failure to reach a unanimous consensus among aspirants could spark legal battles that might ultimately cost the party its victory to the opposition.
He said, “We are fully aware of the ongoing intra-party crisis affecting our local party structure in both Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA.
“This has led to a legal suit (Suit No. ID/8948GCM/2025) currently pending before the Lagos State High Court.
“We call on well-meaning stakeholders of our great party to intervene and help restore peace and fairness to our LG and LCDA. Failure to do so could have grave consequences on the APC’s performance in the upcoming Local Government elections and even the 2027 general election.”
In Ejigbo, similar situation exist, there is tension as party members on Sunday and Monday protested the alleged imposition of a son of member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) member that used to reside in the council as the party’s chairmanship candidate.
Speaking to BusinessDay on the condition of anonymity, a party member and one of the delegate who voted in the primary election last Saturday, said many members where surprised when the name of the candidate was announced by the electoral officials.
He said only 21 delegates voted from the council, with about 15 voting for the perceived winner, while two other candidates shared the remaining votes.
He said APC members in the council had submitted a petition to the party over the issue, and would not allow anyone to be imposed on them.
“It is purely imposition, many of the delegates last Saturday know who they voted for, but we were surprised when the winner was announced, someone else whose father is a GAC member was announced as the chairmanship candidate in Ejigbo.
“We protested on Sunday and Monday and we have submitted our petition to the panel set up by the party”, the source said.
Meanwhile, a source in the party told BusinessDay on Tuesday, that the reason for the disputes over candidates in several LCDA’S and councils was because, many leaders opted for consensus candidate without the approval and knowledge of the party members and delegates.
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He said some leaders and outgoing chairmen had agreed on the choice of candidate, sequence that the outgoing chairmen would be compensated with a political ticket in 2027.
“I think alot of party members and delegates do not understand or where not carried along in this arrangement that is where the problem is coming from.
“Alot of them where just surprised to see a new name emerged when they had put their hope on some one else. That is why you protests in some councils, the party need to correct this because they can’t play politics alone without members”, the source said.
Also reacting, a top APC leader in Lagos State, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the current situation was capable of causing division in the party ahead 2027 general election if not resolved amicable.
He lambasted party leaders for imposing unpopular candidates on the people, when it is obvious they cannot win primary.
“There is no need to conduct primary for the council election when some people have already decided who is the candidate. What is the point wasting people’s time?. It is sad.
“The party just want to settle some people, but I’m saying; let the party members in the council be aware to advoid all the situation we fine ourselves today”.
Meanwhile, the Lagos APC has established an Appeal Committee to address grievances arising from its recent chairmanship and councillorship primaries, held on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the committee was formed to offer aggrieved aspirants a formal channel to seek redress.
The primaries successfully produced 55 out of the expected 57 chairmanship candidates.
The committee is headed by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, with Abiodun Olufowobi serving as Secretary.
Other members include former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi; former state legislator and APC State Secretary, Lanre Ogunyemi; and Chukwudi Adiukwu.
“Dissatisfied aspirants are encouraged to submit their appeals to the committee no later than 12 p.m. on Tuesday, 13 May 2025,” Oladejo said.
