Aggrieved Lagos APC aspirants reject attempts to link Obasa to protests
A coalition of aspirants in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries has condemned what it described as a “malicious and distracting attempt” to link the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, to the peaceful protests held last week over the conduct of the party’s primaries.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the group maintained that the demonstrations were a spontaneous expression of dissatisfaction by aspirants and their supporters across Lagos State, rather than being sponsored by any individual.
The statement was signed by several prominent party figures, including Hon. Seye Oladejo (Mushin), Hon. Kolawole Taiwo (Ajeromi-Ifelodun), Hon. Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa), Hon. Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi), Hon. Apata Samuel (Somolu), Hon. David Doherty (Amuwo-Odofin), Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi (Agege), and Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba (Alimosho).
“To suggest that thousands of committed APC members and supporters required sponsorship before voicing their frustrations is insulting to their intelligence and dismissive of their legitimate concerns,” the statement said.
The group said the protesters raised concerns over alleged manipulation, distortion of results, cheating, and disregard for established party guidelines during the primaries, arguing that these complaints were neither isolated nor imaginary but reflected the frustrations of party faithful who invested time, resources, and political capital in the democratic process.
The signatories accused unnamed individuals of attempting to scapegoat Obasa in a bid to trivialise the grievances raised and divert attention from the need for justice, reconciliation, and unity within the party.
“Rather than addressing the issues at the heart of the protest, some individuals have chosen the convenient path of scapegoating. Such futile attempts are clearly designed to shift public attention away from the need for fairness and party cohesion,” the statement added.
The coalition urged party leaders to focus on resolving the issues arising from the primaries as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections, emphasising that the APC’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate differing views, address internal shortcomings, and emerge stronger through dialogue and fairness.
“The concerns of aggrieved aspirants and their supporters deserve attention, not diversion. Addressing these grievances sincerely and urgently will strengthen confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes and enable us to approach future elections with a united and formidable front,” the statement concluded.
