By Akinwale Kasali
Stakeholders Meeting Ends In Crisis
The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Elections in Lagos State has thrown the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, into crisis. This stems from the alleged imposition of Chairmen for Agege Local Government and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area by Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
At the APC Stakeholders Meeting held at Ojokoro LCDA Monday evening, aggrieved members stormed the venue in protest.
The aggrieved protesters lamented the imposition of Chairmanship Candidate in Ojokoro and Agege. The
Protesters chanted “Ole!” (thief), “We can’t take it”.
They accused Obasa of imposing a candidate from Agege on Ojokoro residents.
Other chants included ‘Who knows Sanusi?’, ‘Obasa can’t control us from Agege’, and ‘We won’t allow a stranger rule us here’.
One of the aggrieved protesters, Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, spoke on the disruption of the meeting, stating that the meeting was initially to ratify an imposed candidate with no ties to the Council.
He stressed that a Chairmanship aspirant must reside in Ojokoro, worked for the party, and actively participated in Council politics.
He warned that imposing an outsider with no electoral history in Ojokoro would have negative consequences.
“We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance,” Akinoso-Olawaye said.
He noted there are at least 18 aspirants for the Chairmanship, all of whom have supporters present at the protest.
Bola Ojetayo, one of the leaders of the protets lamented that party leaders often prioritise personal interests over the will of the people.
She said the protest is aimed at preventing the installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next Council Chairman.
“We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home.
“Leaders can’t sit elsewhere and decide for us. Someone in Agege shouldn’t determine Ojokoro’s leadership,” Ojetayo said.
Following this development, James Owolabi, a former House of Representatives member and APC stalwart in Ojokoro, urged the protesters to remain peaceful and avoid violence.
Owolabi, who represented Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, acknowledged the concerns and affirmed their right to protest within the party.
“You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” Owolabi advised.
Other APC leaders present included: Jelili Oseni, Ojokoro LCDA Chairman, and Ipoola Omisore, a former Lagos Assembly member.
Also in attendance were Alh. Amosu Aminu, Chief Oriyomi Olaogun, and Mr Akindele Aremu, among others.
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