A fresh crisis has erupted in the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as aggrieved members demand the removal of the state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
The development comes on the heels of internal discontent following the party’s primary election for the recently concluded local government polls, as well as earlier leadership tensions in the state House of Assembly.
This latest round of infighting followed Sunday’s swearing-in of 57 newly elected chairmen for the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
On Monday, protesters under the banner Concerned and Loyal APC Members took to the streets, accusing the party leadership of nepotism and favouritism in appointments, particularly by the Justice Forum (JF) faction. They alleged that Ojelabi was responsible for electoral setbacks and poor management of the 2025 local government elections.]
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the demonstrators gathered outside the Lagos Assembly complex, prompting heavy security deployment.
Sources said the crisis has caused divisions within the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), with some members alleging they were sidelined in the formation of new council cabinets.
The protesters, reportedly drawn from all 57 LGAs and LCDAs, submitted an appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu, read by their spokesperson Segun Faleye, urging the immediate removal of Ojelabi.
“Our prayer to the illustrious leaders of our party is to ask Pastor Ojelabi to leave the party NOW to avoid another imminent disaster in our party administration,” the letter read.
They also demanded that constitutional officeholders be allowed to carry out their duties without interference from individuals with “selfish interests.”
In response, APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, acknowledged the protest, saying peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate form of civic expression.
He assured that appointments into council cabinets would follow party rules and recommendations from local leadership after due consultations. “The party vehemently denies any move to impose nominations,” he said.
During Sunday’s ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu barred the chairmen from appointing secretaries to local government and supervisory councillors, directing them to focus on community needs for the next 30 to 60 days. He said the state government would communicate when appointments should begin.(Daily trust)
