Olusegun Ariyo
As preparations intensify for the upcoming local government elections in Lagos, some chairmanship aspirants have called on the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure a fair and transparent primary process.
Speaking on behalf of 12 aspirants in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Segun Sekoni and Mustapha Rasheed stressed in a joint statement that true leadership cannot emerge through imposition.
They emphasised that the credibility of any democratic process lies in its openness and inclusivity, warning that democracy only thrives when candidate selection is free, fair, and broadly accepted by party members.
The group also cautioned against what they described as a false narrative of consensus, allegedly being promoted within party ranks to impose a particular aspirant as the LCDA’s chairmanship flag bearer.
According to them, any attempt to sell or validate such a narrative would not only undermine the integrity of the process but also mislead the public and damage the party’s reputation.
“This claim suggests that a consensus has been reached within the All-Progressives Congress, APC, to adopt a ‘special someone’ as the party’s sole chairmanship candidate in Ojokoro LCDA.
“We wish to categorically state that this claim is false, deceptive, and aimed at misleading the public. We call on the Lagos State leadership of the APC and all relevant authorities to ensure that Ojokoro LCDA conducts a transparent, fair, and credible primary election.
“No individual or clique has the right to impose candidates against the will of the people. Let it be known: Ojokoro is not for sale. The people must decide,” the aspirants said.
They clarified that the circulating list is simply an attendance record from a meeting with the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, not evidence of any official endorsement.
“There was no agreement, no vote, and no consensus decision reached at that meeting. This act of misinformation is a desperate attempt to gain undue advantage and subvert the democratic process,” the gaspirants added.
