Tinubu-Ojo faults Lagos APC primaries, warns party may face internal breakup

The release of candidates who emerged from the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections has sparked internal tensions within the party, as Folashade Tinubu-Ojo has called for a comprehensive review of the exercise over alleged irregularities.

Tinubu-Ojo urged APC leaders at both state and national levels to intervene before the final ratification of the primaries, warning that failure to address grievances could deepen existing divisions within the ruling party in Lagos.

She alleged that some aspirants who she believed clearly won their constituencies were unfairly excluded from the final list, describing the situation as a threat to internal democracy within the party.

Among those she cited were Hon. Seye Oladejo (Mushin Constituency II), Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo (Agege II), and Olotu Ojo (Ojokoro Constituency), insisting that their mandates should not be overturned.

“We are ready to protest because of Seye Oladejo of Mushin Federal Constituency 02, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo of Agege 2 constituency, Olotu Ojo of Ojokoro constituency; because we know they won this election. Their mandate should not be given to somebody else,” she said.

Tinubu-Ojo also expressed concern over rising tensions between the Justice Forum and Mandate Group factions within the Lagos APC, warning that continued rivalry could undermine party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

She called for the abolition of factional structures, insisting that the party must operate as a unified political family.

“We have to cry out now. Let APC cancel Justice and Mandate Forums. We are one family… Everyone is now joining the Justice Forum because they believe that is where the incoming governor belongs,” she stated.

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She further stressed that elected officials, including the deputy governor if eventually elevated, must ensure inclusive governance that accommodates all political interests within the party.

“Even when he becomes governor, he will not govern only APC members; he has to balance it. Everyone must be carried along,” she added.

The APC chieftain also decried what she described as manipulation of party structures and shifting loyalty among members based on perceived political advantage.

She warned that such developments could erode trust and discourage commitment among party faithful.

“It is a way of telling us that hard work does not pay in politics. Something must be done about it,” she said.

Despite the controversy, Tinubu-Ojo reaffirmed the political alignment of market women across Lagos State, declaring their support for the governorship ambition of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates.

She noted that traders and market stakeholders remain a powerful electoral bloc in Lagos politics and should be more actively included in governance, political appointments, and decision-making processes.

While the Lagos APC leadership has moved to consolidate its list of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, the emerging internal disputes highlight growing tensions within the party’s structure.

Analysts warn that unless swift reconciliation measures are taken, the disagreements could escalate and affect cohesion within the Lagos APC ahead of the next general election cycle.