Scores of aggrieved All Progressives Congress members from across Lagos State’s 57 local councils staged a protest at the State House of Assembly complex on Monday, calling for the immediate removal of the party’s state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Ojelabi Must Go” and “We Want Fresh Leadership,” accused the chairman of mismanagement and anti-democratic practices.
The demonstration came just a day after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies.
A heavy police presence was deployed around the Assembly complex to maintain order during the protest.
Convener Segun Falae, speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s current leadership. He alleged plans by Ojelabi’s team to impose cabinet members in local governments, disregarding grassroots stakeholders.
“We are simply exercising our democratic rights to be heard, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution,” Falae stated.
He criticized Ojelabi’s leadership, claiming it lacked vision and integrity, and cited poor handling of the recent local government elections as a major failure.
“We have tolerated Ojelabi’s actions, appealed to leaders, and prayed for change, but all efforts proved fruitless,” Falae lamented.
He contrasted Ojelabi’s tenure with past chairmen—Abiodun Ogunleye, Henry Ajomale, and Babatunde Balogun—whom he credited with running inclusive administrations that strengthened the party.
“Ojelabi’s leadership marked the first time the APC lost Lagos to the opposition in the Fourth Republic,” Falae said. “The recent local government polls were shambolic and further exposed his incompetence.”
Despite their grievances, Falae reaffirmed loyalty to the APC and support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development plan.
“We urge party leaders to replace Ojelabi now to prevent another crisis,” he said, calling for leadership free from selfish political interference.
Lawmaker Solomon Bonu (Badagry I) received the protesters’ petition and assured them their concerns would be reviewed.
“We hear you, and the Assembly will look into your demands,” Bonu said, urging calm and patience.
In a swift rebuttal, the Lagos APC dismissed the protesters’ claims. Party spokesman Seye Oladejo denied any plans to impose local government cabinet members, describing the allegations as unfounded.
“The party remains committed to democratic principles and internal cohesion,” Oladejo stated.