…Faleke accused of importing Kogi influence, promoting religious bias, and installing loyalists and mistresses; Ojelabi also implicated as concerned Lagosians decry a tainted process
Virtually all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) where these predetermined, kangaroo primaries were held have sordid tales to tell. Below are snapshots of what transpired in some councils—a microcosm of what occurred across all 57 LGAs/LCDAs.
Apapa Local Government
22 executives/delegates were accredited, yet 27 votes were recorded. The incumbent chairman, who is also an aspirant, secured 25 votes; the former chairman scored 2. How did five ghost votes suddenly emerge?
This same incumbent is reportedly unpopular among key stakeholders and constituents of Apapa. Many have vowed to cast protest votes in the upcoming local government election in July 2025—and even in the 2027 general elections—if she is imposed on the people.
Ojokoro LCDA
The situation in Ojokoro is worse. The process was cloaked in secrecy, with competence and capability sacrificed on the altar of lust, greed, and religious imbalance. A woman—allegedly a concubine of Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (MHR, Ikeja Federal Constituency)—was declared the winner of a sham election and handed the APC ticket “on a platter of love.”
This candidate is politically unknown, lacking experience, structure, or public service history. She allegedly secured the ticket using “bottom power.”
Additionally, in Ojokoro, all key political positions are occupied by Christians:
MHR (Ojokoro): Christian
Lagos State House of Assembly Member: Christian
Incumbent Chairman: Christian
New APC Chairmanship Candidate: Christian
Is the Muslim community expected to accept this religious imbalance in silence? 2027 will determine whether this was wise judgment.
Somolu Local Government
Somolu’s case is perhaps the worst. Allegations abound that the outgoing Chairman, Abdul Hammed Salawu (“Dullar”), bribed Hon. Faleke and APC Lagos Chairman Pastor Ojelabi with ₦250 million to impose his surrogate candidate. It’s also alleged that Hon. Faleke received juicy contracts in return.
The candidate in question, a single-term councillor, is unknown politically and lacks any leadership or work experience. His imposition is seen as ethnic favouritism, as he shares Kogi State origins with Hon. Faleke and Barr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), Chairman of the Election Committee.
Even media figure Babajide Otitoju, another Kogi indigene, is believed to have helped propagate this scheme through his program, Journalist Hangout.
Like Ojokoro, Somolu suffers religious imbalance:
MHR (Somolu): Christian
Both House of Assembly Members: Christians
Commissioner representing Somolu: Christian
Education Secretary: Christian
Bariga LCDA Chairman: Christian
While the Chairman attempted to introduce a Muslim candidate, the individual lacked competence, education, and independence—making him a mere stooge to cover past atrocities and fraudulent activities.
Systemic Imbalance and Party Division
Information from other councils mirrors these issues. Most concerning is the blatant imbalance in APC’s internal structure. Among the two dominant factions—The Mandate Movement and Justice Forum—how can anyone who truly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu justify allocating 48 Chairmanship slots to Justice Forum and only 9 to The Mandate Movement?
This lopsidedness is a recipe for rebellion and betrayal in 2027. President Tinubu suffered a historic defeat in Lagos in 2023, the first since 1999. If these injustices persist, another disgrace looms.
Will The Mandate Movement simply accept this injustice and remain loyal? That is the critical question.
