Lagos APC Dismisses Claims of Preselected Slate of Candidates

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has come out to deny claims that it has already drawn up a list of candidates for the House of Representatives and state House of Assembly primaries, describing such insinuations as false.

According to a statement released on Thursday, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi emphasized that the party is committed to using direct primaries if consensus cannot be reached on any candidature after thorough consultation.

A group calling itself "Concerned Members of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress" had alleged that some party leaders were plotting to impose their preferred candidates for the primaries, naming Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, House of Representatives member James Faleke, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and party chieftain Mutiu Aare as those involved.

The group, led by Tunde Samson, claimed that this alleged action would undermine the party's commitment to direct primaries and the rights of party members to choose candidates freely.

Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi responded to the allegation by labeling the claims as baseless, mischievous, and designed to create a false impression of crisis.

Ojelabi stated that there is no plot, no clandestine meetings, and no predetermined list of candidates, as falsely alleged, and that such claims are a desperate attempt to advance personal ambitions through illegitimate means.

He described the claims being pushed by the group as "a desperate fabrication, a reckless exercise in mischief, and a calculated attempt to inflame passions within our great party".

Ojelabi stressed that the Electoral Act, as amended, clearly outlines the lawful process for the emergence of candidates for the coming elections, and that the Lagos APC is guided by the provisions of the law and the party's constitution.

The Lagos APC has made its position clear: where consensus cannot be reached through broad consultation and mutual agreement, there shall be direct primaries, a position that is settled, lawful, and non-negotiable.

Ojelabi emphasized that the Lagos APC is committed to due process and internal democracy, and will not yield to "sponsored misinformation, subtle blackmail, media propaganda or clandestine scheming".

The Lagos APC remains a disciplined and institution-driven political family founded on consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for democratic norms, with the voice of duly registered party members remaining supreme.

Ojelabi urged party members and the general public to disregard the antics of faceless groups and political opportunists who seek to create an atmosphere of distrust and apprehension through orchestrated falsehoods and deliberate attempts to manufacture tension.

He added that these actors seek to undermine public confidence in the party's transparent processes and provoke avoidable political anxiety, but emphasized that internal democracy will prevail, due process will be upheld, and the collective will of party members shall remain the ultimate determinant of candidate emergence.

Ultimately, Ojelabi's statement sought to reassure the public that the Lagos APC is committed to upholding democratic norms and ensuring that the party's processes are transparent and fair.