Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Council of Lagos State have petitioned the national leadership of the party, demanding a thorough investigation into the House of Assembly primary election held on May 20, 2026. They described the exercise as deeply flawed and inconsistent with democratic principles.
In a petition dated May 26, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the APC in Abuja, the group, identified as the APC Ifako-Ijaiye Grassroots Forum (IGF), alleged widespread irregularities, including result manipulation, voter intimidation, inflated vote figures, and the absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the petitioners, the outcome of the primary election, which declared the incumbent Adewale Temitope Adedeji as the party’s candidate, did not reflect the genuine will of party members who participated in the process. They also alleged disregard for the party’s guidelines that require valid membership slips for voting, harassment of members perceived to oppose the incumbent, and manipulation of vote collation in favour of the incumbent candidate.
Christian Group Calls for Stronger Internal Democracy
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2027 general elections, political stakeholders across the country have been urged to strengthen internal democracy within their political parties. This was contained in a statement by Christian Conscience Group, a non-denominational organisation, shortly after its monthly meeting yesterday in Lagos.
The group, in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dr (Mrs) Yetunde Akinluyi, and National Secretary, Rev’d (Dr) Kolawole Verrals, further stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic system after many years of uninterrupted democratic rule. They urged the Federal Government to adopt more proactive and innovative measures in addressing the lingering security challenges across the country.
Tinubu’s Daughter Demands Disbandment of Justice Forum, Mandate Movement
However, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has called for the disbandment of the influential Justice Forum and Mandate Movement groups within the Lagos State chapter of the APC, alleging that the factions manipulated the party’s primaries. Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, specifically faulted the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries for Mushin Constituency I and Agege Constituency II, Ojokoro, alleging that the mandate of aspirants in the constituencies was stolen and handed to “a non-winner.”
The Iyaloja-General, while speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders in her office in Alausa, Ikeja, condemned what she described as political shenanigans, warning against attempts to subvert the will of party members. She also decried the alleged marginalisation of traders by political office holders despite their contributions to the growth and electoral success of the APC in Lagos State.
Tinubu-Ojo urged APC leaders at the state and national levels to immediately investigate the disputed primaries and ensure that justice prevails before final ratification of the results. She said that market women in the state remained committed to supporting the governorship ambition of Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates nationwide, but stressed that traders deserved recognition and political appointments in return for their loyalty and sacrifices. She also appealed to Tinubu to acknowledge traders as critical stakeholders in national development.
Market Leaders Protest Alleged Manipulation
Meanwhile, aggrieved APC members and supporters in Mushin have threatened mass protests if the alleged mandate of Oladejo is not restored. The protesters accused leaders of the Justice Forum bloc of attempting to impose candidates and undermine internal democracy within the party.
