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Party Rifts Deepen As Lagos APC Prepares For LG Primaries

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As the July 12 local government elections approach in Lagos State, internal tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have intensified, with accusations of candidate imposition threatening to fracture the party’s base across several Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Despite efforts by the party to manage pre-election friction through the adoption of a consensus candidacy approach, several aspirants and local stakeholders allege that the method is being exploited to sideline credible contenders in favour of handpicked loyalists.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission had, in April, published the official timetable for elections across the 57 council chairmanship seats and 376 councillorship positions.

READ MORE: EFCC Arrests Ex-APC Lawmaker, Muhammad Kazaure

The polls are to take place as the current local council officials round off their tenure in July. But instead of uniting the APC, the pre-election activities have deepened divisions.

Tensions in Ojokoro and Yaba

In Ojokoro LCDA, controversy erupted when a faction of party leaders under the Ojokoro Apex Council announced Mobolaji Sanusi as the consensus chairmanship candidate.

The group, backed by prominent figures including former House of Representatives members Ipoola Omisore and Adisa Owolabi, submitted a signed resolution to the state APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.

Among the signatories was the incumbent LCDA chairman, Idowu Tijani.

But not all party members accepted the outcome. Within days, another screening conducted by a separate bloc of leaders produced Rosiji Yemisi as a rival candidate.

A party member involved in the process, who spoke anonymously, rejected Sanusi’s candidacy, alleging it was part of an orchestrated imposition.

According to him, “The apex council is attempting to impose a ‘foreigner backed by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa’ on us. Imposing an outsider with no electoral history in Ojokoro would have negative consequences.”

Yaba LCDA is also grappling with similar unrest. A coalition of landlords, electorates, and political stakeholders accused party leaders of manipulating the consensus process in favour of Babatunde Ojo, who reportedly placed 11th in a screening exercise.

William Babatunde, who topped the exercise with 85 percent, was allegedly sidelined.

In a petition to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the coalition led by Amoo Ismail voiced its frustration:

“It is important to emphasise that we have credible leaders within our community who are capable of selecting the most qualified candidate from the broad pool of aspirants.

“It is simply unjust and disheartening to the political stakeholders in the local government that a single individual continues to unilaterally impose a chairmanship candidate upon us.”

They called on both the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

“A more inclusive and consultative approach, one that values the voices of grassroots mobilisers and other key stakeholders, will likely yield a more favourable outcome for both the local government and our great party.”

Backlash and Warnings from Within

The controversy has not gone unnoticed by key figures within the APC. Opeyemi Ahmed, media aide to the outgoing chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Dele Osinowo, publicly criticized the consensus approach in a now-deleted Facebook post.

“The party is not sincere with its guidelines; from direct to indirect to consensus. We can do better. Let’s give a sense of belonging to everyone. Tinubu needs to win Lagos, but if a few are writing names at the top and using fake strategy to call for consensus at the bottom, then Tinubu should be ready to lose come 2027.”

Echoing this sentiment, APC chieftain Fouad Oki delivered a strongly worded open letter titled “Lagos APC’s crisis of Democracy: Internal strife and the risk to President Tinubu’s stronghold.”

“The Lagos APC must choose democracy over cliques. If party managers still believe they know better than voters, permit me to remind you of the stakes: disenfranchised grassroots can sabotage not only council polls, but also general elections to come. Unity forged under injustice is brittle; lasting strength requires inclusivity.”

He warned the party not to repeat past mistakes.

“Let this op-ed be a rallying cry within the party: abandon the politics of imposition, honour the rights of members, and give Lagosians a real voice. Failing that, our party risks losing Lagos not to an opposition challenger, but to its own internal discord – a disaster that would echo all the way to 2027.”

Party Responds: No Cause for Alarm

In response to the growing unrest, the Lagos APC has defended its approach. Party spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, dismissed allegations of imposition, stating that the process of selecting candidates was still ongoing and inclusive.

“We have not concluded the process of the primaries, which will be held on Saturday. For those who have been able to reach consensus, there will be affirmation, but for those who have not reached consensus, their delegates will decide who their preferred candidates will be in their respective local governments.”

He added that claims of imposition were premature.

“Nobody is imposing anything on anybody; we cherish internal democracy in our party, and we have always strived on all of this.”

Oladejo further argued that consensus has historically helped the APC avoid post-primary crises.

“As a party, we see ourselves as members of the same family. Consensus has always been easier to manage, whatever fallout might arise from the process of electing candidates for elections. So, consensus, over time, has worked for us and is recognised by our constitution.”

“We have an internal mechanism for resolving conflicts or disagreements, and that machinery will be ignited to resolve whatever grey areas arise as a fallout of the primaries,” he said.

With the APC primaries scheduled for today and allegations of manipulation still simmering, all eyes are on the party’s leadership to see how it will navigate the storm.

While consensus remains a valid tool within the party’s constitution, the challenge now lies in ensuring that it does not come at the cost of credibility and inclusiveness—two elements many say are key to securing both the upcoming council elections and President Tinubu’s longer-term political prospects.

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Enugu Threatens N50m Fine Over Illegal Political Posters Ahead of 2027

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The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency has warned politicians, political parties and campaign organisations against the unauthorised pasting and display of posters across the state.

The agency said violators could face fines of up to N50 million, as political activities intensify ahead of the Enugu State local government elections scheduled for September 26, 2026, and the 2027 general elections.

SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Gov Mbah Defects To APC, Says ‘Enugu Must Connect to the Center’

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its General Manager, Hon. Francis Aninwike, the agency said the ban covers all posters bearing the names, photographs, logos, slogans or messages of political parties, candidates and aspirants.

According to the agency, no individual, political party, candidate, aspirant, campaign organisation or supporter is permitted to paste, affix or display posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, road infrastructure, public facilities or any public or private surface in the state.

ENSSAA said the restriction was aimed at preventing the indiscriminate defacement of public and private property while preserving the environmental and aesthetic quality of cities, towns and communities across Enugu State.

The agency said the ban was backed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, particularly Sections 4(1)(g), 33 and 34(4)(9), which provide for the regulation and control of outdoor advertising and the display of posters and other advertising materials.

ENSSAA also extended its warning to printers and printing establishments, cautioning them against producing or facilitating posters intended for unauthorised display or pasting.

“Where any such poster is traced to a printer, the printer may be subject to investigation and appropriate sanctions where its involvement in the violation is established in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

The agency further warned that anyone caught violating the ban would face applicable financial penalties and other sanctions prescribed by law.

It advised political parties, candidates, aspirants and campaign organisations to use radio, television, print and digital media platforms, as well as approved billboards, for their campaigns.

ENSSAA stressed that the restriction would be enforced “equally and without fear or favour” against all persons, political parties, candidates, aspirants, organisations and individuals, regardless of political affiliation or status.

“The ban remains in force. All are hereby advised to comply accordingly,” the agency said.

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2027: ‘I Can Improve Nigeria the Way I Did in Anambra’ — Obi Hits Back at Datti

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Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has hit back at his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, insisting that he has the experience and capacity to improve Nigeria.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said his record in the state demonstrated what he could achieve at the national level if elected president.

Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, had recently said that none of the politicians challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027, including Obi, could improve the country.

SEE MORE: 2027: ‘Nobody Owns Rivers Votes’ — ADC Fires Back at Wike

However, speaking in an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday, Obi rejected the assessment, saying, “I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria.”

The former Anambra governor said his administration would prioritise good governance, reduce waste and tackle corruption if given the opportunity to lead the country.

“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today. I will be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour and respect to the country,” Obi said.

He also outlined some of the measures he intends to pursue, including fighting corruption, reducing waste, strengthening law and order and ensuring credible elections.

“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function, and things will be done properly,” he said.

According to Obi, national unity and security would also be among his major priorities, alongside investments in healthcare and education and efforts to reduce poverty.

“I will focus on our priorities to unite the country, as it’s not united today, and secure the country. Secondly, secure the country.

Thirdly, to ensure we prioritise critical areas of development, like health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi added.
Datti’s Position

Baba-Ahmed made his comments during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye and posted on Saturday.

“I will simply advise Uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria,” he said.
When asked whether he was referring to all

the opposition candidates, Baba-Ahmed replied, “Tinubu should leave the stage. All those people contesting against him, too—they were all in bed together at some point or another.”

Asked specifically whether he was referring to Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed said, “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”

 

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2027: ‘Nobody Owns Rivers Votes’ — ADC Fires Back at Wike

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The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has hit back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his prediction that ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi would be defeated in the 2027 election.

The ADC warned that elections are not won through boasting, intimidation or political declarations, stressing that the people of Rivers State would ultimately determine who wins at the polls.

The state chairman of the party, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made the remarks in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

SEE MORE: ‘It’s a Lie’ — Wike’s Aide Debunks Peter Obi’s ‘No Shishi’ Claim

Dimkpa was reacting to comments reportedly made by Wike during a civic reception organised in his honour by the Ikwerre Local Government Area in Omagwa on Saturday.

Wike had reportedly stated that Amaechi would be defeated by 12 noon on election day.

But Dimkpa dismissed the declaration, insisting that the former Rivers State governor’s political fate would be determined by voters and the electoral process.

“Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike, will declare the winner,” he said.

The ADC chairman also condemned the decision to hold the political reception around the same period Amaechi was burying his mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, in Ubima.

According to him, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, used the occasion to attack and taunt Amaechi while sympathisers from across the country were travelling to the community for the burial.

Dimkpa described the development as “insensitive, provocative and embarrassing.”
He questioned why Wike’s political rivalry with Amaechi could not be put aside, even temporarily, during the burial.

“If Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry,” he stated.

The ADC chairman said his party had deliberately refrained from responding immediately because its focus was on ensuring that Amaechi’s mother received a befitting burial.

He, however, warned that no individual or political leader should assume ownership of Rivers State or its electorate.

“Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon,” Dimkpa said.

He urged Rivers voters to reject intimidation and make their choice based on the candidate they believe can deliver meaningful development and improve their lives.

 

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