A crisis is unfolding within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the July 12 local government elections, as numerous chairmanship aspirants and party leaders voice opposition to what they describe as an attempt to impose candidates.
The discontent is spreading across various local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), where stakeholders accuse influential party figures of undermining grassroots democracy by handpicking candidates instead of allowing a fair and open selection process.
In April, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) released the timetable and guidelines for elections into the state’s 57 council chairmanship and 376 councillorship seats, in anticipation of the current officials’ tenure expiring in July.
The APC leadership advocated for a consensus approach in selecting candidates for its upcoming primaries, scheduled for Saturday (today). Consequently, internal committees were formed in various LGAs to screen aspirants and identify consensus candidates. However, this move has sparked widespread criticism and protests from those who feel sidelined.
In Ojokoro LCDA, the Ojokoro Apex Council screened three chairmanship aspirants, selecting Mobolaji Sanusi as the consensus candidate. His nomination was communicated in a letter signed by former House of Representatives members Ipoola Omisore and Adisa Owolabi and addressed to the Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi. The letter included a list of signatories, including the incumbent chairman, Idowu Tijani.
However, the situation took a turn when another group of party leaders conducted a separate screening, presenting Rosiji Yemisi as their preferred candidate. A member of this faction, speaking anonymously, accused the Apex Council of attempting to impose a “foreigner” allegedly backed by Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa. He warned that installing an outsider with no electoral ties to Ojokoro could backfire.
Similar tensions have emerged in Yaba LCDA, where protests erupted over an alleged plan to impose Babatunde Ojo as the party’s candidate. A coalition of concerned landlords, voters, and political stakeholders accused party officials of trying to replace the aspirant who topped the screening process—William Babatunde, who reportedly scored 85%—with Ojo, who scored 65% and ranked 11th out of 14 candidates.
The group, led by Amoo Ismail, petitioned First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, calling on her and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt what they described as a repeat of past political impositions that stifled development. They emphasized the need for a fair, inclusive selection process that respects the views of grassroots stakeholders.
An aide to one of the aspirants alleged that local party leaders were invoking the President’s name to justify the imposition of certain candidates. “They’re claiming the President has given directives, which is not only false but disrespectful to his stance on internal democracy,” he said.
In Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Opeyemi Ahmed, media aide to outgoing chairman Dele Osinowo, also decried the use of consensus, accusing party leaders of manipulating the process to favour their loyalists. In a since-deleted Facebook post, Ahmed warned that such actions could damage President Tinubu’s chances of re-election. “Tinubu needs to win Lagos, but if a few are handpicking candidates under the guise of consensus, we risk losing in 2027,” he wrote.
Party chieftain Fouad Oki issued a stern warning in an open letter titled “Lagos APC’s Crisis of Democracy: Internal Strife and the Risk to President Tinubu’s Stronghold.” Oki urged the party to embrace democratic values and avoid repeating past mistakes. “Unity built on injustice is fragile. Lasting strength comes from inclusivity,” he warned.
He added that unless the party learns from past legal and political missteps, it risks losing not to the opposition, but to internal discord that could threaten the President’s political base.
In response to the growing backlash, APC Lagos Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, denied claims of candidate imposition. He maintained that the party’s primary process was still ongoing and defended the use of consensus as a constitutionally recognized method. “Where consensus is achieved, there will be affirmation. In areas without consensus, delegates will vote to choose their candidates,” he said.