Tensions are escalating within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as party members and aspirants protest the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the July 12 local government elections.
According to the Punch, aspirants and stakeholders from several local government areas and council development areas have accused influential party leaders of subverting grassroots democracy by handpicking candidates under the guise of a consensus arrangement.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission recently announced the election timetable for 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship positions, coinciding with the end of the current councils’ tenure in July.
APC, in response, opted for consensus candidacy to streamline its primaries, prompting local leaders to set up internal screening panels.
However, backlash erupted in several councils as many party faithful claim the consensus approach is being manipulated to favour specific individuals.
In Ojokoro LCDA, for instance, a group named Ojokoro Apex Council declared Mobolaji Sanusi as the consensus chairmanship candidate after screening three aspirants.
Their decision was backed by key figures, including ex-House of Representatives members and the incumbent chairman.
Conflict arose when another aspirant, Rosiji Yemisi, was announced as a candidate by a different group, sparking claims of external interference by powerful political figures.
Dissenters alleged Yemisi was imposed due to backing from the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa.
Similarly, Yaba LCDA witnessed protests over attempts to replace top-scoring aspirant William Babatunde, who reportedly secured 85% in screening, with Babatunde Ojo, who placed 11th. A coalition of local stakeholders has petitioned First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
They stressed the importance of fair play and warned that repeated political impositions could hinder local development.
Accusations also emerged that some party leaders falsely claimed President Tinubu endorsed their preferred candidates, which one aide described as “disrespectful” and misleading.
Expressing frustration, Opeyemi Ahmed, media aide to Agboyi-Ketu LCDA’s outgoing chairman, warned in a deleted Facebook post that ongoing impositions could jeopardise Tinubu’s 2027 re-election chances.
He criticised the inconsistency in the party’s candidate selection methods, calling for a more transparent and inclusive process.
