Key Takeaways

• The Lagos APC leadership has categorically denied reports of a plot to impose candidates for upcoming elections.
• Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi described the allegations as the work of faceless groups attempting to create artificial tension.
• The party reaffirmed its commitment to the Electoral Act, stating that direct primaries will be held if consensus cannot be reached.
• Security agencies and INEC have been notified regarding the spread of these malicious falsehoods.

Setting the Record Straight on Internal Party Politics

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern rebuttal against recent media reports alleging a clandestine plot to impose candidates ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle. In a formal statement released on Thursday, the State Chairman, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, dismissed the claims as entirely false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to destabilize the party’s internal cohesion.

Addressing the allegations, Ojelabi noted that the reports, which originated from an unidentified group, were fabricated to manufacture a crisis where none exists. He emphasized that the party leadership has held no secret meetings, nor has it compiled any predetermined list of candidates. According to the chairman, these narratives are the desperate tools of political actors who lack the capacity to compete within the party’s established democratic framework.

Upholding Democratic Integrity and Due Process

The Lagos APC leadership remains steadfast in its adherence to the Electoral Act and the party’s internal constitution. Ojelabi clarified that the emergence of candidates will follow a transparent and legal path. He explicitly stated that while the party encourages consensus-building, it is fully prepared to conduct direct primaries should that process fail to yield a candidate. This stance, he noted, is non-negotiable and serves as a guarantee of the party’s commitment to fairness.

The party has already alerted relevant security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the activities of these political mischief-makers. By spreading misinformation, these individuals aim to erode public trust and provoke unnecessary political anxiety among the party faithful. Ojelabi warned that such antics would neither intimidate the current leadership nor derail the party’s institutional processes.

A Call for Unity and Vigilance

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ojelabi urged the public and all party members to disregard the propaganda being peddled by faceless entities. He reiterated that the Lagos APC is an institution-driven organization founded on the principles of consultation and inclusiveness. As the political landscape heats up, the party remains focused on maintaining a disciplined environment where the will of the members, rather than the schemes of opportunists, determines the path forward for the organization.

Why This Matters

This clarification is critical for maintaining stability within Nigeria’s most populous state, as it prevents the spread of misinformation that could lead to voter apathy or internal party fragmentation. By publicly committing to direct primaries, the APC is signaling a dedication to transparent governance that could influence the broader political climate in Lagos.