Lagos APC Leaders Refute Claims of Imposition in Local Government Primaries

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege and Orile-Agege Local Government Areas of Lagos State have dismissed allegations that the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the upcoming July 12, 2025, council elections were imposed.

Following the APC primaries held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the party’s state secretariat, concerns emerged across several LGAs and LCDAs regarding the transparency of the process. While results for 55 out of the 57 local councils were released—excluding Yaba LCDA and Mainland LCDA—some aspirants claimed the exercise was flawed and skewed in favor of predetermined candidates.

LG Polls: APC Aspirants Reject Imposition Plot, Demand Fair Play

In Agege and Orile-Agege, where Alhaji Tunde Azeez and Idowu Akinola emerged as APC chairmanship candidates respectively, similar claims of imposition surfaced. However, on Tuesday, May 13, party leaders from both councils convened at the Agege Local Government Secretariat and issued a joint communiqué rejecting the accusations.

The communiqué was signed by several high-ranking figures, including:

• Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly

• Hon. Jubril Kareem, Lagos Assembly member representing Agege 02

• Hon. Dr. Wale Ahmed, Member, House of Representatives

• Hon. Afolabi Tajudeen, Special Adviser to the Governor

• Hon. Afolabi Ayantayo, Commissioner for Establishments and Training

• Alhaji Safari Adaranijo, APC Apex Leader

• Alhaji Genius Owolabi Dada, First Executive Chairman of Agege LG

• Hon. Richard Akin Osungboye, ex-Chairman, LAHASCOM

• Alhaji Ayoni Shittu, former APC LG Chairman

• Alhaji Tunde Azeez, APC Agege LG Chairman

• Hon. Salau Olaniyi, APC Orile-Agege LG Chairman

• Hon. Rotimi Adeshina, ex-Council Chairman and former Assembly Member

• Elder Sunday Ajide, APC Leader

• Hon. Ashimiu Adebayo, former House of Assembly Member

The leaders stated that critics of the process had long distanced themselves from the party and local communities, thereby lacking credibility to challenge the outcomes.

“The APC primary elections in our councils were free, fair, and credible,” the communiqué stated. “Those crying foul are sore losers who abandoned the party and the people years ago.”

The statement singled out individuals such as Kayode Opeifa, former MD of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; Dr. Samuel Adejare, ex-House of Representatives member; and Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, a former three-term House of Assembly member—alleging they no longer reside in Agege or participate in party affairs.

Others mentioned include chairmanship aspirants like Biodun Ogunji and Bukola “Gidado” Sofidiya, both based overseas, and Sola Osolana, a former PDP candidate in the last council election.

According to the party leaders, the APC adopted a consensus/delegate voting model involving local government executives, most of whom were elected years ago when these individuals were inactive in party matters.

“It is only individuals with shallow understanding or unclear positions who would mistake themselves for serious contenders,” the communiqué concluded.