The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially responded to a protest staged on Monday by party members demanding the removal of the state party chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi. The party stated it respects the democratic right of members to express grievances peacefully, but firmly denied allegations that the chairman is attempting to impose political appointees across the state’s local councils.
The protest, which took place at the Lagos State House of Assembly, involved APC members from all 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “Ojelabi Must Go” and “We Want Fresh Leadership.” Their primary complaint was what they described as efforts by the state party leadership to force preferred appointees into positions across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 LCDAs, allegedly without adequate consultation with grassroots stakeholders.
Responding to the development, APC’s Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, issued a statement affirming that peaceful protest is a legitimate part of civic engagement. “Peaceful protests are a legitimate feature of civic engagement, and we commend those who have conducted themselves calmly and orderly,” Oladejo said.
However, Oladejo dismissed the accusation that the state leadership is attempting to impose candidates. He clarified that the party’s role at the state level is strictly advisory, and it does not interfere with the nomination processes at the local level. According to him, the selection of candidates for local cabinet positions is subject to party procedures, local recommendations, and established internal guidelines.
“The party hereby vehemently denies any allegation to impose nomination on any local government,” he stated. Oladejo emphasized that local leadership within each LGA and LCDA is responsible for making nominations. He encouraged interested party members to engage with their respective local leaders if they wish to be involved in the nomination process.
“We want to advise interested members to approach their local leadership, who are the custodians of the power to nominate,” he said.
He further reassured party members that the APC is committed to fairness and inclusiveness, and that any disputes or concerns would be addressed through official party channels. “We remain committed to constructive dialogue to review concerns and disputes to ensure fair outcomes in line with party values,” he added.
The statement also served as an appeal to the protesting members, urging them to pursue their concerns through internal mechanisms rather than public demonstrations. Oladejo encouraged party members to embrace “constructive participation” and to utilize “official party organs” for resolving issues.
The protest and the APC’s subsequent response come amid internal tensions over leadership and decision-making within the party’s Lagos State chapter. The grassroots members’ dissatisfaction appears to stem from a perceived lack of transparency and participation in local governance processes, particularly in the nomination of political appointees.
Cornelius Ojelabi, the current APC chairman in Lagos, has not personally responded to the protest as of the time of this report. However, the strong defense mounted by the party’s spokesperson signals that the leadership is standing firmly behind him for now.
The development is significant given Lagos State’s political importance within Nigeria and the ruling APC. As the most populous state and a traditional stronghold of the party, any sustained internal conflict could have broader implications ahead of future elections and political appointments.
Party insiders say the protest reflects deeper undercurrents of power struggles at the grassroots level, where local leaders and party faithful often clash over representation, influence, and access to public office. The leadership’s response, aimed at de-escalating tensions while reaffirming its authority, appears designed to preserve party unity without making immediate concessions.
It remains to be seen whether the protesters will heed the call to return to formal party channels or continue pushing publicly for Ojelabi’s removal. For now, the APC’s message is clear: internal disputes must be resolved within the party’s framework, not on the streets.
