The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has firmly rejected allegations suggesting a plot to impose candidates ahead of forthcoming elections, describing the claims as false, malicious, and deliberately crafted to destabilize the party’s internal cohesion.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Lagos State Chairman of the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, dismissed the report as a baseless fabrication allegedly orchestrated by unnamed actors seeking to sow discord within the ruling party’s ranks.
Ojelabi, in a strongly worded response, stated that the publication—attributed to what he described as a “faceless group”—lacked credibility and was designed to mislead party members and the public.
“The Lagos APC strongly condemns and rejects the malicious publication alleging a plot to impose candidates ahead of elections,” he said. “The report, based on claims by a faceless group, is a desperate fabrication and a calculated attempt to inflame passions within our party.”
The chairman emphasized that the APC in Lagos remains committed to democratic principles, particularly the conduct of transparent, free, and fair primary elections. According to him, the party has consistently upheld internal democracy, allowing members to participate actively in the selection of candidates through established processes.
He further reassured party faithful that there was no plan by the leadership to sideline aspirants or manipulate the outcome of primaries in favor of any individual or group. Instead, he insisted that the party’s structures were intact and functioning effectively to ensure inclusiveness and fairness.
Ojelabi warned those behind the alleged report to desist from spreading misinformation capable of undermining party unity. He noted that such actions not only threaten internal harmony but also risk eroding public confidence in the democratic process.
Political observers say the development reflects the heightened tension often associated with pre-election periods, especially in a politically strategic state like Lagos, where competition within parties can be intense.
Lagos, widely regarded as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, has long been a stronghold of the APC, making its internal dynamics particularly significant ahead of any electoral contest. As a result, allegations of candidate imposition, whether substantiated or not, tend to attract widespread attention and scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, Ojelabi urged party members to remain calm and focused, stressing that unity remains the party’s greatest strength. He called on stakeholders to disregard what he described as “unverified and mischievous publications” and instead channel their energy toward strengthening the party’s electoral prospects.
“We advise our members and supporters to ignore such baseless claims and remain committed to the ideals of our great party,” he added. “The APC in Lagos remains united, focused, and determined to conduct its affairs in line with democratic norms.”
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the elections, the Lagos APC leadership appears keen to project stability and discipline within its ranks, even as it navigates the challenges of managing diverse interests and expectations.
For now, the party’s message is clear: there is no imposition agenda, and any narrative suggesting otherwise is nothing more than an attempt to stir unnecessary controversy.
