Protest Disrupts APC Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos

A stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State ended in chaos on Monday following protests over the alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate.

The meeting, held at 7 Ijaoye Street at 4:00 p.m., began peacefully but was soon disrupted when a group of aggrieved party members stormed the venue, chanting slogans and accusing Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, of attempting to impose a candidate from neighbouring Agege on Ojokoro.

The protesters, chanting “Ole!” (thief), “We can’t take it,” and “Obasa can’t control us from Agege,” expressed strong opposition to what they described as external interference in local party affairs. They questioned the legitimacy of the purported candidate, chanting, “Who knows Sanusi?” and “We won’t allow a stranger rule us here.”

One of the protest leaders, Mr Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, said the protest was a response to efforts to ratify a candidate who neither resides in Ojokoro nor has a political track record in the area. He insisted that all aspirants should be given a level playing field and that only individuals with deep roots in Ojokoro should be considered for the chairmanship position. Akinoso-Olawaye noted that at least 18 aspirants from the council area were vying for the position, all with visible support bases.

Another protester, Mrs Bola Ojetayo, criticized party leaders for allegedly prioritizing personal interests over the collective will of the people. She emphasized that Ojokoro residents would not accept the leadership of an outsider, warning against decisions made without local input. “We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home,” she said.

In an attempt to calm tensions, Mr James Owolabi, a former member of the House of Representatives and a prominent APC figure in Ojokoro, addressed the protesters. Dressed in white, Owolabi urged calm and encouraged members to express their grievances peacefully. “You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” he advised.

Also present at the meeting were Mr Jelili Oseni, chairman of the council; Mr Ipoola Omisore, a former Lagos Assembly member; Alhaji Amosu Aminu; Chief Oriyomi Olaogun; and Mr Akindele Aremu, among others.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled the local government elections for July 12.