Crisis Engulfs APC Meeting in Lagos Over Alleged Obasa's Imposition of Chairmanship Candidate

By Adamu Aliyu Aliyu/ABUJA//

A stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State descended into chaos on Monday following allegations of candidate imposition by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The meeting, which was held at 7, Ijaoye Street, kicked off peacefully at around 4:00 p.m., but tensions flared as angry party members stormed the venue in protest.

Chanting slogans such as “Ole!” (Thief), “We can’t take it,” and “Obasa can’t control us from Agege,” the protesters accused the Speaker of attempting to impose a chairmanship candidate from Agege on the people of Ojokoro.

Some of the placards and chants also included “Who knows Sanusi?” and “We won’t allow a stranger rule us here,” underscoring the deep-seated opposition to what many described as political interference from outside the LCDA.

Speaking to journalists after the disruption, protest leader Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye stated that the meeting was intended to ratify a candidate with no ties to Ojokoro. He emphasized that any aspirant for the chairmanship must be a resident who has worked for the party and has a verifiable political history within the council.

“We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance,” Akinoso-Olawaye said, adding that at least 18 aspirants, all from within Ojokoro, were in contention for the chairmanship.

Another protester, Bola Ojetayo, decried the repeated tendency of party leaders to place personal interests above grassroots democracy.

“We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home,” she said. “Leaders can’t sit elsewhere and decide for us. Someone in Agege shouldn’t determine Ojokoro’s leadership.”

In an effort to calm tensions, Hon. James Owolabi, a former member of the House of Representatives and prominent APC stalwart in Ojokoro, addressed the protesters and appealed for peace.

“You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” Owolabi said, acknowledging the protesters’ grievances while urging them to avoid unrest.

Also present at the contentious meeting were Jelili Oseni, current council chairman, and Ipoola Omisore, a former Lagos Assembly member.

As the 2025 local government elections approach, the internal wrangling within Ojokoro APC signals a rocky road ahead if consensus is not reached on transparent and inclusive candidate selection.