Lagos APC candidate imposition claims spark crisis as members accuse leaders of plotting predetermined candidate lists ahead of elections
A faction of aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Wednesday raised serious allegations over what they described as a coordinated attempt by some party leaders to impose candidates ahead of upcoming elections.
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In a statement signed by Tunde Samson on behalf of “concerned and vigilant members,” the group accused key party figures, including James Faleke, Cornelius Ojelabi, and Mutiu Are, of allegedly holding private meetings aimed at compiling a predetermined list of candidates for the House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The group claimed the meetings were being held at a private residence and described the alleged process as a direct contradiction of the party’s commitment to conducting transparent direct primaries.
Lagos APC Primary Selection Dispute allegation, according to the statement, represents a threat to internal democracy and risks undermining the rights of party members to freely choose their representatives.
The aggrieved members warned that any attempt to sideline due process would be firmly resisted, insisting that the Lagos APC must not be controlled by a select group of individuals operating outside established party procedures.
They also referenced previous controversies surrounding local government elections in Lagos State, alleging that earlier processes were marred by irregularities and imposition, which they say must not be repeated.
The group further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to ensure that democratic principles are upheld within the party structure, noting his historical support for transparent primaries.
“There must be free, fair, and transparent primaries. Anything short of that will be resisted,” the statement added.
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Efforts to obtain responses from the individuals named in the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
