APC major: Protest erupts in Lagos Mainland, Yaba over alleged imposition of candidates

Some dissatisfied members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, staged a protest on Saturday over what they described because the imposition of chairmanship candidates in Lagos Mainland Native Authorities and Yaba Native Council Improvement Space (LCDA) forward of the July 12 native authorities elections in Lagos State.

The protest adopted the social gathering’s chairmanship major held at its state secretariat on Acme Street, Ikeja, the place candidates for a lot of the 20 Native Authorities Areas (LGAs) and 37 Native Council Improvement Areas (LCDAs) emerged by way of consensus and oblique voting.

Nevertheless, consensus reportedly failed within the Lagos Mainland and Yaba councils, resulting in unrest amongst social gathering members.

The protesters, who gathered alongside Apapa Street in Ebute Metta and later took their demonstration to Come up TV headquarters in Victoria Island, accused native social gathering leaders of trying to impose unpopular candidates with out securing the consent of different aspirants.

Talking on behalf of the protesters, Taorid Owolabi insisted that no true consensus was reached and known as for a rescheduled major within the affected councils.

He warned that any imposed candidacy can be challenged in courtroom until all aspirants agreed unanimously.

In response to the protesters, the alleged imposition undermines the democratic ideas the social gathering claims to uphold and will gas inside divisions forward of the native polls.

He stated, “Regardless of intensive consultations amongst aspirants inside each LGAs, no consensus had been reached. This additional underscore the necessity for a clear and inclusive course of.

“We respectfully name on the State Working Committee to reschedule the first for a later date and choose an acceptable venue.

“We additionally urge the adoption of revised tips that mirror the peculiar circumstances in our LG and LCDA, in full compliance with the provisions of the Lagos State Impartial Electoral Fee, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Structure (as amended).”

One other protester, Sodeeq Olawepo, cautioned that failure to succeed in a unanimous consensus amongst aspirants may spark authorized battles which may finally value the social gathering its victory to the opposition.

He stated, “We’re absolutely conscious of the continued intra-party disaster affecting our native social gathering construction in each Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA.

“This has led to a authorized go well with (Swimsuit No. ID/8948GCM/2025) at the moment pending earlier than the Lagos State Excessive Courtroom.

“We name on well-meaning stakeholders of our nice social gathering to intervene and assist restore peace and equity to our LG and LCDA. Failure to take action may have grave penalties on the APC’s efficiency within the upcoming Native Authorities elections and even the 2027 normal election.”

As of Saturday night, over 50 chairmanship candidates have emerged from the APC primaries throughout the state.