LG Polls: Tensions as APC Members Stage Protest Primaries | ClipTV Online

Expressing their grievances over the LG Polls primaries just concluded, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State are staging a major protest on Tuesday at the party’s secretariat, ACME Road, Ikeja. Similarly, Somolu LG party members are protesting over grievances stemming from the party’s recently concluded chairmanship primaries.

The protests coincide with the deadline set by the APC Appeal Committee for aggrieved aspirants to submit formal appeals concerning the conduct of the primaries. The party Primary election held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 has left some party members aloof. The primaries were organized to select candidates for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12 across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

Despite the emergence of 55 chairmanship candidates through a mix of consensus and delegate voting, discontent has continued to grow within the party ranks. Notably, the Lagos Mainland LGA and Yaba LCDA failed to produce any candidates during the primaries, further fueling dissent. Protesters from these areas had previously stormed the Ebute Meta axis on the day of the primaries to denounce alleged imposition of consensus candidates.

In response to the uproar, the APC leadership inaugurated an Appeal Committee headed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), with a mandate to address all disputes. The committee also includes Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi (Secretary), Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, and Chief Chukwudi Adiukwu.

According to APC spokesperson Oluseye Oladejo, the committee will accept appeals until 12 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 13.

Protesters under various banners, including “Concerned Stakeholders” from Somolu and Bariga, and the Ebony Campaign Team in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, are demanding the cancellation of the primaries, citing irregularities, imposition, and lack of transparency.

Statements from the protesters describe the exercise as “skewed,” “a travesty,” and “an electoral charade.” Many have called for the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, and the Governor’s Advisory Council to restore internal democracy in the party.

In one of the statements, signed by Aisha Lawal and David Balogun, the stakeholders alleged:

“Some leaders just select and decide who will be the candidates. No election was conducted, and other aspirants were never invited for any meeting. They are completely sidelined while the ‘baba sopes’ make the decision.”

Similarly, the Ebony Campaign Team described the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye primary as “a brazen attempt to impose an unpopular aspirant,” labeling the outcome “unacceptable.”

While these protests intensify, party officials, including the Electoral Committee Chair, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), and Oladejo, have denied allegations of any wrongdoing or candidate imposition.

As the APC navigates the fallout of its primaries, party leaders face mounting pressure to reconcile internal disputes and ensure credibility and inclusiveness in its preparations for the July 12 elections.