By Lagos APC rocked by protests
Members demand chairman’s removal over primary election grievances
Summary
- Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State staged protests at the State House of Assembly on 28th July 2025, demanding the removal of the state party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi
- The protests stem from widespread dissatisfaction over alleged unfair appointments and candidate imposition during the APC primaries for the 12th July 2025 local government elections
- Protesters cited irregularities such as the use of a “Unity List” and consensus methods that sidelined aspirants, accusing party leaders of monopolizing power
- The protests highlight deep-seated internal divisions and factionalism within the Lagos APC, despite the party’s dominant victory in the recent LG polls
Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently embroiled in significant internal turmoil, as aggrieved party members staged widespread protests at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, 28th July 2025.
The primary demand of the demonstrators was the immediate removal of the state party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, whom they accuse of mismanagement, unfair appointments, and candidate imposition during the recent APC primaries for the 12th July 2025 local government elections.
The protests, which saw members from various local government areas (LGAs) and prominent factions like the Mandate Group, were fueled by deep-seated internal divisions. Protesters specifically criticised the primaries held on 10th May 2025, alleging that the process was marred by irregularities. Key grievances included the imposition of a “Unity List” of pre-selected candidates and the use of a consensus method that effectively sidelined other aspirants.
Accusations were leveled against influential party figures, including federal lawmaker James Faleke and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, for allegedly monopolizing power and manipulating the primary process to favor their allies. For instance, in Agege, protesters accused Speaker Obasa of controlling the delegate system to ensure his son secured a candidacy.
Placards bearing inscriptions such as “Ojelabi Must Go,” “We Want Fresh Leadership,” and “Faleke is a Betrayer” highlighted the demands for leadership change. They contrasted Ojelabi’s leadership with past chairmen like Abiodun Ogunleye and Henry Ajomale, who they claimed fostered more inclusive administrations. Some protesters also lamented neglect and a lack of tangible benefits from the APC-led administration in the state, despite their loyalty.
While the Lagos APC, through its spokesperson Seye Oladejo, has previously downplayed similar protests as exaggerated and pointed to internal dispute resolution mechanisms like appeal committees, no direct official response to the 28th July protests has been detailed yet.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reportedly arrived at the protest scene but was unable to address the agitated crowd, whose chants and demands for immediate action surrounded his vehicle.
Despite these internal conflicts, the APC achieved a near-total sweep in the 12th July local government elections, securing all 57 chairmanship seats and 375 out of 376 councillorship positions. This reinforces the party’s strong dominance in Lagos, with a rare victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yaba LCDA highlighting only localized dissent.
The ongoing protests are indicative of persistent tensions within the Lagos APC, with factions like Lagos4Lagos having previously raised similar concerns about the lack of internal democracy and candidate imposition during state congresses in 2021.
The current situation points to a broader struggle for control and influence within the party, particularly in Lagos, which remains a crucial political stronghold for the APC.
