Members of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State mobilized Monday in a public display of dissent, demanding the ouster of their local party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, amid growing tensions over leadership effectiveness. Protesters from across the state’s 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) gathered at the Lagos House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, brandishing placards with slogans such as “Ojelabi Must Go” and “We Demand New Leadership,” signaling a deepening rift within the party’s ranks.
The demonstration, organized to coincide with legislative activities at the Assembly, highlighted frustrations over the APC’s direction under Ojelabi’s stewardship. Participants accused the chairman of failing to unify factions or address grassroots concerns, with calls for restructuring the party’s hierarchy ahead of critical political events, including candidate selections for upcoming elections. While no specific policy grievances were cited, protesters emphasized a broader desire for accountability and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
Authorities deployed a significant contingent of security personnel to oversee the gathering, which remained orderly and concluded without reports of clashes or arrests. The coordinated police presence underscored concerns about maintaining stability in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, where political disputes occasionally escalate into public unrest.
The Lagos APC leadership and state lawmakers had not formally addressed the protest at the time of reporting, leaving questions about potential resolutions unanswered. Ojelabi, a former commissioner and legislator appointed chairman in 2021, has previously navigated internal challenges, but Monday’s protest marks one of the most visible rebellions against his tenure.
Analysts note that the APC, which governs at the national level and has dominated Lagos politics for over two decades, faces mounting pressure to reconcile internal divisions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Lagos, home to over 20 million residents, serves as both a strategic stronghold and a bellwether for political sentiment, making leadership crises within its chapter particularly consequential.
The absence of immediate commentary from senior party figures leaves uncertainty over whether demands for Ojelabi’s removal will gain traction or prompt broader reforms. Observers emphasize that prolonged infighting could weaken the APC’s cohesion in a state where opposition parties, including the Labour Party, have recently made electoral gains.
As the protest disbanded, participants vowed to sustain pressure through lawful avenues, stressing that their actions reflected widespread dissatisfaction among local party members. The outcome of this internal challenge may hinge on behind-the-scenes negotiations, with implications for the APC’s capacity to maintain unity in Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state.
