APC Members Protest Alleged Imposition of Candidates in Ojokoro LCDA Ahead of July 2025 Elections
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to oppose the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12, 2025.
The protest, which echoed a similar disruption during a party stakeholders’ meeting on April 14, saw supporters of various chairmanship aspirants gather at the APC party secretariat. They later marched to the LCDA secretariat, expressing their displeasure over what they described as attempts to sideline grassroots voices in candidate selection.
Chanting slogans such as “He is not part of us, no room for strangers in our LCDA,” “Elders and leaders are to build, not destroy,” and “We want an indigenous leader, not a stranger,” the protesters demanded a free and fair primary election. Many carried placards with messages like “We don’t want it, we don’t like it, strangers cannot lead us,” “Hon. Ojelabi, the APC chairman, save APC Ojokoro,” and “No imposition, Obasa is forcing on us.”
Speaking to journalists, protest leader Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye emphasized the need for a transparent process.
“Don’t impose leaders on the people. Let all aspirants contest freely in a fair primary. We are committed to peaceful advocacy but firmly reject any form of imposition,” he stated.
Another protest leader, Raimot Bello, warned that appointing an unfamiliar candidate would damage party unity and undermine grassroots efforts.
“We want leaders from within our community who understand our needs, not outsiders,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, the chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hammed Tijani, praised the peaceful nature of the protest and reassured the demonstrators.
“We are all APC members, and the party will not be destroyed. I assure you there is no imposition; we are addressing all issues raised,” Tijani said.
Similarly, the APC chairman in Ojokoro, Jelili Oseni, appealed for calm, affirming that hard work and loyalty to the party would be rewarded.
“Ojokoro will not descend into violence. Every loyal party member will be recognized. There is no plan to impose candidates here,” Oseni assured.
The protest unfolded while party leaders and stakeholders were in a closed-door meeting at the council secretariat, deliberating on preparations for the forthcoming elections.
