Tensions Boil In Lagos Mainland As APC Chairmanship Dispute Sparks Street Protests

LAGOS: Tensions flared within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday as disgruntled party members staged a protest over alleged imposition of chairmanship candidates in Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The protest stemmed from the outcome of the APC chairmanship primaries held at the party’s state secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja.

While candidates reportedly emerged through consensus or indirect voting in most of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), the process was said to have broken down in Lagos Mainland and Yaba, sparking outrage among party loyalists.

Aggrieved protesters took to the streets, first converging on Apapa Road in Ebute Metta before marching to the premises of Arise TV in Victoria Island. They accused influential party leaders of bypassing due process by handpicking preferred candidates, sidelining other aspirants.

Spokesperson for the protesters, Taorid Owolabi, argued that no genuine consensus had been reached despite widespread consultations among aspirants. He demanded that the APC State Working Committee reschedule the primaries in both councils and adopt fresh guidelines that reflect the unique circumstances in the areas.

“There was no consensus. Imposing candidates is unacceptable and must be challenged legally if necessary,” Owolabi warned. “We respectfully urge the party leadership to reschedule the primaries, select a neutral venue, and ensure full compliance with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.”

Another party member, Sodeeq Olawepo, voiced similar concerns, cautioning that unresolved internal rifts could jeopardize the party’s prospects in the coming Local Government elections and even in the 2027 general elections.

“This crisis has already resulted in a pending legal suit (Suit No. ID/8948GCM/2025) at the Lagos State High Court,” Olawepo noted. “We urge senior stakeholders to intervene urgently to restore peace, unity, and fairness.”

As of Saturday night, over 50 chairmanship candidates had been selected statewide through the APC’s primary process. However, the controversies in Lagos Mainland and Yaba remain a major flashpoint threatening to unsettle the party’s local base.