Discontent Brews Over APC Primaries in Lagos
Folashade Tinubu Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu and the General Iyaloja of Nigeria, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State. During a weekly gathering of market leaders and stakeholders at her office in Alausa, Ikeja, she accused the electoral process of being skewed in favor of the party’s Justice Forum bloc.
Allegations of Electoral Manipulation
Tinubu Ojo raised concerns regarding the outcomes announced by the Lagos APC for several constituencies, including Mushin Federal Constituency 2, Agege Constituency 2, and Ojokoro. She claimed the results were manipulated, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Candidates for Upcoming Elections Announced
On Monday, the Lagos State chapter of the APC unveiled its list of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. The list, authored by Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ogelabi, included 24 candidates for the House of Representatives and 40 candidates for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Noteworthy Wins in the State Assembly
Among those who secured nominations for the Lagos State House of Assembly are notable figures such as Mojisola Meranda (Apapa I), Msibau Lawal (Apapa II), Barakat Bakare Odunuga (Surulere I), and Damilola Ayinde Marshall (Surulere II), who won in various constituencies.
Call for Urgent Investigation into Primaries
Tinubu Ojo has urged both state and national APC leaders to conduct a thorough investigation into the contested primaries before finalizing the results. She cautioned that failure to address these issues could exacerbate tensions within the ruling party.
Concerns Over Party Unity
Specifically, she highlighted the alleged victories of candidates such as Seye Oladejo, Mutiu Olade Oladebo, and Olotu Ojo, asserting that their rightful mandates must not be altered. “We are prepared to protest for these candidates because we believe they rightfully won,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their contributions.
Warnings About Factionalism in the APC
Tinubu Ojo cautioned that unresolved grievances from the primaries might jeopardize the party’s unity as it approaches the next election cycle. She pointed to factional divisions, particularly between the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group, warning that such splits could undermine the party’s cohesiveness ahead of the pivotal 2027 elections.
Commitment to Political Inclusion
Despite the internal strife, Tinubu Ojo reiterated the commitment of market women across Lagos to support the gubernatorial aspirations of Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates. She argued that traders represent a vital constituency in Lagos’s political landscape and deserved enhanced recognition and political inclusion as a reward for their unwavering support.
