Crisis Brews in Lagos APC as Chairmanship Primaries Spark Protests, Force Appeal Panel Formation

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is currently grappling with internal strife following its local government chairmanship primaries held on Saturday. While the party proceeded with the nomination of candidates for the upcoming July 12, 2025, Local Government elections across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, what was expected to be a routine party exercise has quickly evolved into a contentious storm of allegations, protests, and questions over internal democracy.

A growing number of aggrieved party members have risen in opposition to the conduct and outcome of the primaries, citing concerns over a lack of transparency, imposition of candidates, over-voting, and the abuse of consensus agreements. The situation has escalated to such an extent that the Lagos APC has been compelled to set up an Appeal Committee to address the grievances, marking a critical test of the party’s integrity and democratic ideals.

The Primaries: Consensus or Controversy?

According to official reports, the APC conducted its primaries using a mix of consensus agreements and delegate voting. Of the 57 chairmanship positions up for grabs, 55 candidates emerged—some via consensus, others through voting. However, the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area and the Yaba Local Council Development Area were unable to complete their processes due to various disruptions, including street protests and the absence of approved delegates.

At the heart of the brewing crisis is the method of selecting candidates. While consensus is a recognized method under the APC’s internal guidelines, many aspirants and stakeholders believe it has been weaponized to force unpopular candidates on the party. In Lagos Mainland and Yaba LCDA, protesters took to the streets, disrupting the process and rejecting what they called “pre-determined outcomes.”

“Consensus does not mean imposition,” lamented one disgruntled aspirant in Lagos Mainland. “It should involve genuine dialogue and agreement among all aspirants and stakeholders, not a decision made behind closed doors.”

The Protesters Speak: Voices from Within

Several party faithful from across different local councils have cried foul, claiming the primaries were anything but democratic. In Somolu and Bariga LCDA, the outcry has been particularly intense. A group of aggrieved stakeholders, under the banner of “Concerned APC Stakeholders,” has called for the total cancellation of the primaries in those areas, insisting that the processes were manipulated.

In a jointly signed statement by Aisha Lawal and David Balogun, the group called on key APC leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Working Committee, and the Lagos State leadership of the party, to urgently intervene.

“We demand that the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Working Committee, and the Lagos State APC leadership immediately investigate this travesty and cancel the compromised elections in Somolu Local Government and Bariga LCDA,” the statement read in part.

Among the allegations are over-voting, irregular accreditation, intimidation of delegates, and the use of thugs to scare off opposition. “We assert that no amount of intimidation, manipulation, or rigging will force us to support unpopular, imposed candidates,” the group warned.

Appeal Committee to the Rescue

According to a statement by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, the party expects all appeals to be formally submitted before 12 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. “We, hereby, advise discontented aspirants to submit their appeals to the committee not later than the stipulated deadline,” Oladejo said.

The decision to form an appeal panel was described as part of the party’s effort to “uphold fairness, ensure due process, and foster unity.” Yet, the move has done little to pacify some protesters who believe the formation of the committee is merely a political band-aid covering a deep internal wound.

Bariga and Somolu in the Spotlight

Bariga LCDA and Somolu LGA have emerged as the epicenters of discontent, with protesters alleging that the results declared were never reflective of actual voting. Some described the selection of candidates as “a sham,” accusing the local party leadership of orchestrating an electoral charade.

One prominent local leader in Somolu, who asked not to be named for fear of political reprisal, said, “What we witnessed was not an election. It was a coronation. Delegates were harassed, and in some cases, denied access to voting venues.”

They also called for the intervention of respected party elders like Senator Anthony Adefuye, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, and Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole to “rescue the party from descending into chaos.”

Electoral Committee Responds

In an attempt to douse the growing tension, the Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), denied allegations of imposition and irregularities. Speaking to reporters, Ogala said the committee carried out its responsibilities with fairness and diligence, insisting that most of the complaints stemmed from aspirants who failed to garner grassroots support.

“No candidate was imposed. Where consensus failed, we proceeded with delegate elections. The results stand,” he said.

He also acknowledged that elections were not held in some areas due to logistical issues and legal challenges. “We are working to resolve the issues in Lagos Mainland and Yaba LCDA, and we remain committed to democratic principles,” Ogala assured.

Is Internal Democracy Under Threat?

The APC, which prides itself as a party built on progressive values, now finds itself facing questions over its commitment to internal democracy. The allegations of manipulated consensus, the sidelining of aspirants, and the use of intimidation tactics to influence delegate behavior raise significant concerns about how political decisions are made within the party.

Political analysts argue that the party’s over-reliance on consensus, particularly in a highly competitive political environment like Lagos, could lead to disenfranchisement and voter apathy. “When aspirants feel they never stood a chance because the outcome was prearranged, they withdraw their support,” said a political scientist from the University of Lagos.

This, in turn, can weaken the party’s grassroots structure and jeopardize its prospects in future elections.

Appeal Panel: Real Redress or Mere Formality?

While the formation of the Appeal Committee is a commendable step, its credibility remains under scrutiny. Many aggrieved members question whether the panel can truly deliver justice, especially when some of its members are perceived as loyalists to the state party hierarchy.

“What’s the point of filing an appeal if the same forces that manipulated the primaries are influencing the appeal process?” one Somolu-based party member asked.

Others have expressed hope that the committee will work transparently and independently. “We hope this panel will rise above politics and ensure that justice is done,” said Hon. Tunde Akinbode, a former APC chieftain in Kosofe.

National Implications and Tinubu’s Legacy

The internal wrangling within Lagos APC also poses a potential image challenge for President Bola Tinubu, the party’s national leader and a political godfather in Lagos. Known for his meticulous political structure in the state, any perception of rigged primaries could taint his legacy as a democrat and a strategist.

For President Tinubu, allowing such irregularities to persist unchecked might invite further scrutiny ahead of future national and state elections, especially from opposition parties eager to capitalize on internal APC fractures.

What Happens Next?

With the July 12 LG elections fast approaching, the APC in Lagos State faces a ticking clock. The decisions of the Appeal Committee could determine whether the aggrieved factions will support the party’s eventual candidates or work against them, either overtly or covertly.

The leadership must weigh the long-term costs of alienating key grassroots figures against the short-term gains of pushing through preferred candidates. If the protests are not addressed sincerely and inclusively, the APC risks not only losing support in crucial local areas but also weakening the integrity of its internal processes.