Chaos Rocks APC LG Primaries in Lagos: Allegations of Favoritism, Bribery, and Manipulation Emerge
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…Faleke accused of importing Kogi influence, promoting religious bias, and installing loyalists and mistresses; Ojelabi also implicated as concerned Lagosians decry a tainted process
The attention of the Committee of Concerned Lagosians has been drawn to the recently concluded APC Local Government Chairmanship and Councillorship Primary Elections in Lagos State. The exercise, which should have upheld fairness, justice, religious inclusiveness, competence, and capability, instead became a tragic display of selfishness, greed, incompetence, and mediocrity.
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.
In IKOSI ISHERI LCDA, the incumbent chairman Samiat Bola Bada who has already spent 5 years as Vice chairman and 6 years as Executive chairman. She completed the first tenue with his chairman Engr Oyesanya – 2014- 2017 and in 2017 on a join ticket they were re- elected for second term in office. An unfortunate situation occurred the principal Engr. Oyesanya died in 2020 after which she was sown in by talking oath of executive chairman, having completed the second term. In 2021 she was re- elected and took another oath of office as the executive chairman in total 6 years as executive chairman Ikosi -Isheri LCDA. In 2025 again she aspire to run for the office of the same LCDA she had already spent 11 years ( 5 years as Vice chairman and 6 years as Executive chairman.)
This is absordity and aberration that against morals standards and Democratic probity. If she is allowed to run again for 3rd term in the same Local council it is an indication of political monopolization and stagnation which can result to adverse effects on our Party APC.
The consequences of electoral debacles caused by malfeasance leaders like Faleke and Babatunde Ogala (SAN) both have traded their dignity and integrity in exchange for money.
Our agitations are, all concerned residence of Ikosi Isheri LCDA reject 3rd term bid of samiat Bada and she should be allowed to drop off the aspiration in order to prevent lost of public trust, social unrest and political backsliding in our party.