The All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, descended into chaos on Monday following allegations of candidate imposition for the forthcoming local government elections.
The meeting, held at 7, Ijaoye Street, commenced peacefully at around 4:00 p.m. but was abruptly disrupted when aggrieved party members stormed the venue in protest. The demonstrators vehemently rejected what they described as an attempt to force an unfamiliar candidate on the people of Ojokoro.
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 the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, of trying to install a chairmanship candidate from neighbouring Agege rather than a local resident.
Other chants included: “Who knows Sanusi?” and “We won’t allow a stranger rule us here,” reflecting growing discontent within the ranks of the APC in Ojokoro over what they saw as external interference in their local political affairs.
One of the protesters, Mr Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, condemned the situation, insisting that the meeting was convened to ratify a candidate with no affiliation to the local council.
“We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance,” Akinoso-Olawaye stated.
He emphasised that the APC chairmanship aspirant must be someone with deep-rooted connections to the community, someone who resides in Ojokoro, has worked diligently for the party, and has actively participated in the local political structure.
According to him, allowing an outsider with no electoral or political history in Ojokoro to emerge as chairman would be detrimental to the council’s political integrity. He noted that at least 18 aspirants had indicated interest in the chairmanship race, with many of them and their supporters participating in the protest.
Also speaking, Mrs Bola Ojetayo, another leader of the protest, expressed frustration over a recurring pattern where party leaders appeared to prioritise their personal interests over the collective will of the people.
“We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home.
“Leaders can’t sit elsewhere and decide for us. Someone in Agege shouldn’t determine Ojokoro’s leadership,” she asserted.
In an attempt to de-escalate the growing tension, Mr James Owolabi, a former member of the House of Representatives and APC stalwart in Ojokoro, addressed the protesters, urging them to remain peaceful.
“You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” Owolabi advised, acknowledging their concerns while encouraging civil engagement.
Owolabi, who previously represented Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, reiterated the importance of order and discipline within party proceedings, even in moments of disagreement.
Other APC leaders present at the disrupted meeting included Mr Jelili Oseni, the current council chairman; Ipoola Omisore, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly; Alhaji Amosu Aminu; Chief Oriyomi Olaogun; and Mr Akindele Aremu.
As the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission prepares for the July 12 local government elections, tensions continue to rise in Ojokoro over the selection of the party’s chairmanship flagbearer. The issue of candidate imposition may prove a decisive factor in determining APC’s strength and unity ahead of the polls.
