Explosive Fallout: Angry Lagos APC Members Plan Street Protests Over Primary Election Scandal

According to Naija News, the planned demonstrations stem from widespread dissatisfaction over the conduct of last Saturday’s local government primaries held in preparation for the July 12 council elections.

The protests coincide with the deadline for submitting petitions to the APC Appeal Committee, which was formed to address the flood of complaints from aspirants who allege irregularities and the imposition of candidates. The five-member panel is chaired by Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Contentious Primaries and Consensus Controversy

The APC had conducted chairmanship primaries across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos. While 55 candidates reportedly emerged via consensus and delegate voting, several councils—including Lagos Mainland LGA and Yaba LCDA—failed to produce candidates due to heated objections.

Many party members have rejected the use of the consensus method in certain areas, describing it as opaque and undemocratic. Protests erupted during the primaries in Lagos Mainland and Yaba, where demonstrators accused party leaders of handpicking candidates without transparency or engagement.

In a statement released on Monday, APC spokesperson Oluseye Oladejo reiterated the party’s commitment to addressing grievances, urging aspirants to submit their appeals before 12 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Other members of the appeal panel include Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi (Secretary), former House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, and Chief Chukwudi Adiukwu.

Calls for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu to Intervene

Party insiders disclosed to The PUNCH that the protests are being organized by aspirants and stakeholders from several disputed councils. A party member from Somolu predicted a larger turnout than previous protests, while another from Lagos Mainland accused party leaders of imposing candidates in closed-door deals.

“We are taking to the streets to alert Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu that there were no genuine consensus candidates in our areas. There was no proper election or consultation. The imposition must end,” one member stated.

Similarly, a group of stakeholders from Bariga and Somolu issued a statement demanding that the primaries be annulled, calling on President Tinubu and APC leaders to intervene urgently.

“We urge a thorough investigation into this political sham and call for immediate cancellation of the tainted primaries in Somolu and Bariga,” read the statement by Aisha Lawal and David Balogun.

In a separate protest, the Ebony Campaign Team accused party officials of rigging the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA primary. They claimed their candidate, Hon. Idowu Daramola (Ebony), was falsely reported to have received zero votes.

“This shameful act of manipulation is unacceptable. The announced results are entirely false and must be overturned,” said the group’s spokesperson, Morufdeen Bello.

They appealed directly to Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the Governor’s Advisory Council to urgently address the growing unrest and perceived injustice within the party.