Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have expressed concern over alleged efforts by some party leaders to pre-select candidates for the upcoming elections, bypassing the party’s commitment to direct primaries.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Tunde Samson on behalf of a group calling itself “concerned and vigilant members,” the faction accused prominent figures including James Faleke, Cornelius Ojelabi, and Mutiu Are of holding private meetings to compile a predetermined list of candidates for the House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The group claimed these meetings were taking place at a private residence and described the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine the party’s stated commitment to internal democracy. They warned that such actions contradict the APC’s position on direct primaries and threaten the rights of party members.
“This runs contrary to the party’s clear position on direct primaries and represents a serious threat to internal democracy. It undermines the rights of party members and disregards the principles upon which the party stands,” the statement read.
The members vowed to oppose any attempt to impose candidates, insisting that the Lagos APC should not be controlled by a select few. They also referenced past controversies surrounding local government elections in the state, alleging that previous exercises were marred by irregularities and imposition.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that democratic processes are upheld within the party. They noted that Tinubu has a history of participating in party primaries and remains an advocate for transparent and credible electoral processes.
Issuing what it described as a final warning, the group stressed that any attempt to sidestep due process could provoke strong resistance within the party ranks.
“There must be free, fair, and transparent primaries. Anything short of that will be resisted,” the statement added.
Efforts to obtain responses from the individuals mentioned in the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
