Several aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State are poised to stage a massive protest today (Tuesday) at the party’s secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, and in the Somolu area, as discontent over the recently concluded local government primaries grows.
This protest coincides with the deadline set by the APC Appeal Committee for aggrieved aspirants to submit petitions challenging the outcomes of Saturday’s primaries.
The Appeal Committee, chaired by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), was inaugurated in response to widespread discontent that erupted both online and offline following the primaries held at the party’s Ikeja headquarters.
The primaries were organised to pick candidates for the July 12 local government elections across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. While the process yielded 55 candidates through a mix of consensus and delegate voting, some stakeholders have rejected the consensus arrangement, calling it undemocratic.
In Lagos Mainland LGA and Yaba LCDA, no candidates emerged due to disagreements, prompting protests in areas like Ebute Meta where members rejected imposed consensus choices.
Despite the outcome, opposition persists within the party, with aggrieved members questioning the transparency and fairness of the exercise.
APC spokesperson, Oluseye Oladejo, confirmed in a statement on Monday that an Appeal Committee had been set up to address complaints.
He said, “The committee is made up of Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, who is also the Attorney-General and Honorable Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, and Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi as Secretary. Other members include Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; former House member and state secretary of the party, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi; and Chief Chukwudi Adiukwu.”
He added, “We, hereby, advise discontented aspirants to submit their appeals to the committee not later than 12 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.”
A source within the party, who requested anonymity, revealed to journalists that preparations for a larger demonstration were already underway.
“They will be protesting at the APC secretariat tomorrow (today) again, but with a larger crowd this time,” the source said.
Another party member from Somolu confirmed the development and sent a protest invitation to The PUNCH: “There is going to be a huge protest tomorrow (today) in Somolu.”
Some leaders from Yaba LCDA have also accused the party of imposing a chairmanship candidate for the elections.
Earlier on Monday, party members from Bariga and Somolu, under the banner of Concerned Stakeholders, demanded the cancellation of the primaries and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
Their statement read in part, “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.”
Another APC member, speaking anonymously, insisted that no consensus candidates had emerged in Lagos Mainland and Yaba, stating, “Some leaders just select and decide who will be the candidates. No election was conducted, and the other aspirants were never invited for any meeting. They are completely sidelined while the ‘baba sopes’ make the decision.”
“They asked other aspirants to withdraw, but they refused. They are insisting on an indirect election, as done in other areas where there was no consensus,” the source added.
Similarly, the Ebony Campaign Team has condemned the primaries conducted in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, alleging widespread malpractice.
In a statement, the team said, “This disgraceful and shameful display of repeated desperation must stop in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA.”
They further decried the declaration that Hon. Idowu Daramola (Ebony) scored zero in the primaries.
“This disgraceful and shameful display of repeated desperation must stop in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA,” said Morufdeen Bello, spokesperson for the team. “When will our people have a government of their own? When will this imposition and illegality stop in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA?”
The group called on President Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Governor’s Advisory Council to urgently address their concerns.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), and party spokesperson Oladejo have denied any allegations of imposition.
