The controversy surrounding the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly tickets for Agege Constituency I and Somolu Constituency II has escalated, with fresh protests at the party’s state secretariat exposing deep divisions within the ruling party and raising concerns about internal cohesion ahead of future political contests.
What initially appeared to be post-primary grievances has developed into a broader struggle over political influence and grassroots control, with rival camps trading accusations over the legitimacy of the party’s candidate selection process.
Hundreds of aggrieved party members recently converged on the APC State Secretariat in Acme, Lagos, demanding a review of the published candidates’ list. The protesters argued that the names announced by the party did not reflect the wishes of members who participated in the primary process and called for intervention by the national leadership.
The demonstrations have sparked debate within party circles, with some stakeholders describing them as an open challenge to the authority of the Lagos APC leadership and ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at preserving party unity.
At the centre of the dispute is Agege Constituency I, where supporters of Hon. Kolawole Egunjobi have continued to challenge the outcome of the selection process. Egunjobi is widely regarded as a political ally of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. His supporters insist that the published candidate list does not accurately reflect the outcome of the primary exercise.
A similar situation has emerged in Somolu Constituency II, where supporters of Hon. Samuel Apata have maintained pressure on the party leadership over the ticket allocation. Apata is widely perceived to enjoy the backing of former President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Kolade Alabi, a prominent APC stakeholder.
Political observers noted that the affiliations displayed during the latest protest added a new dimension to the controversy. Many demonstrators from Agege openly identified with Egunjobi’s camp, while several protesters from Bariga and Somolu were seen carrying branded materials bearing the images of Kolade Alabi and Samuel Apata.
Although there is no publicly available evidence linking either Obasa or Alabi directly to the organisation of the protests, the visible association of demonstrators with their political camps has intensified speculation about the forces behind the sustained agitation.
The development has also prompted questions about political responsibility and leadership intervention. Some party stakeholders argue that influential figures associated with the affected constituencies should play a more active role in calming tensions and encouraging dialogue.
According to party sources, concerns are growing that prolonged demonstrations could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts and deepen factional divisions within the Lagos APC.
Observers say the dispute has evolved beyond a disagreement over primary outcomes into a significant test of leadership, party discipline and conflict management within one of Nigeria’s most influential political structures.
With no immediate resolution in sight, attention is increasingly focused on whether party leaders can broker a compromise capable of restoring confidence among aggrieved members while preserving the unity of the organisation.
For now, the battles over the Agege Constituency I and Somolu Constituency II tickets remain unresolved. As protests continue and competing narratives gain traction, the Lagos APC faces a critical challenge: balancing internal democracy, party discipline and reconciliation in a manner that strengthens rather than weakens its political standing.
Whether dialogue ultimately prevails over confrontation may determine not only the fate of the disputed tickets but also the party’s ability to present a united front in the months ahead.
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