The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected claims about the suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government, dismissing these reports as “fake news.”
This response follows recent unrest among party members who protested alleged marginalization within the local APC chapter.
The controversy erupted last week when a group of disgruntled APC members gathered at the party Secretariat in Alimosho, expressing frustration over perceived favoritism and inequities within the local party structure. The protest turned chaotic, resulting in the state Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, being manhandled by the demonstrators.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Seye Oladejo, addressed the reports of the alleged suspension and urged the public to disregard these claims.
Oladejo’s statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the fake news making the rounds about the purported suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government by the state chairman. We wish to state unequivocally that there’s no truth in the allegation.”
Oladejo emphasized that the APC Lagos State Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, remains dedicated to the unity and peaceful coexistence of all party members. He underscored that party disagreements and conflicts are natural but should be resolved through the party’s established constitutional mechanisms rather than through unilateral actions.
He continued: “The Lagos State Chairman of APC, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi remains committed to the unity of the party and acts that engender peaceful co-existence of all members.”
Oladejo explained that Ojelabi, as an experienced party leader and governor, is committed to balancing different interests and ensuring that the party’s cohesion is maintained. He also stressed that there is no provision in the APC constitution that allows the chairman to unilaterally suspend members.
He said: “APC as a political party, made up of members with different aspirations, naturally has its fair share of wrangling and suspicions that can always be resolved within the framework of its constitutional provisions.”
“The chairman as an experienced individual in party politics and governance is always prepared to bend backwards to accommodate all opinions without trampling on the rights of others,” Oladejo added.
Oladejo also criticized the spread of false information, stating that such statements aim to create unnecessary conflict and advance personal agendas.
He concluded: “Members of the public are hereby advised to ignore statements that are designed to create an imaginary conflict and deliberate falsehood that are basically self-serving.”
