Protests broke out on Saturday in Lagos as aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected the outcomes of the party’s chairmanship primaries in Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), alleging imposition of candidates.
The demonstration followed the APC’s primary held at the state secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, ahead of the July 12 local government elections.
While most local governments saw candidates emerge through consensus and indirect voting, the process reportedly broke down in Lagos Mainland and Yaba, triggering unrest among party loyalists.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the protesters marched along Apapa Road in Ebute Metta and later stormed Arise TV headquarters in Victoria Island, accusing party leaders of pushing forward unpopular candidates without agreement from other aspirants.
“No true consensus was reached,” said protest spokesperson Taorid Owolabi. “Despite extensive consultations among aspirants, no agreement was made. This further underscores the need for a transparent and inclusive process.”
Owolabi urged the State Working Committee to reschedule the primary, stating, “We respectfully call for a new date and a neutral venue, alongside revised guidelines that comply with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.”
Another protester, Sodeeq Olawepo, warned of legal consequences if the issue remains unresolved. “There’s an ongoing suit—Suit No. ID/8948GCM/2025—before the Lagos State High Court. If the party fails to act, we risk losing not just the local elections but also ground in 2027,” he said.
The protesters argued that the alleged imposition undermines the party’s democratic image and could create deep internal rifts.
As of Saturday evening, over 50 APC chairmanship candidates had emerged across the state from the party’s primary process.
