Lagos APC crisis deepens as Folashade Tinubu-Ojo wants Justice Forum, Mandate Movement disbanded

The crisis within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Wednesday, as the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, demanded the dissolution of the Justice Forum and Mandate Movement groups, accusing them of manipulating the party’s primary elections.

Tinubu-Ojo, who is the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, faulted the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries for Mushin Constituency I, Agege Constituency II, and Ojokoro, alleging that the mandate of aspirants in those constituencies was stolen and handed over to “a non-winner.”

Speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders at her office in Alausa, Ikeja, she condemned what she described as political machinations and warned against any attempt to subvert the will of party members.

She also decried the alleged marginalisation of traders by political office holders, despite their contributions to the growth and electoral success of the APC in Lagos State.

The Iyaloja General cited the cases of Mutiu Oladeebo in Agege Constituency II, Seye Oladejo in Mushin Federal Constituency, and Olotu Emmanuel Ojo in Ojokoro, insisting that these aspirants had convincingly won their respective primaries before moves were allegedly made to alter the outcomes.

She urged APC leaders at both state and national levels to immediately investigate the disputed primaries and ensure justice prevails before the final ratification of the results.

According to her, failure to address these grievances could worsen internal tensions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu-Ojo declared that market women across Lagos remain committed to supporting the governorship ambition of Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates nationwide, but stressed that traders deserve recognition and political appointments in return for their loyalty and sacrifices.

She also appealed to President Tinubu to acknowledge traders as critical stakeholders in national development.

Meanwhile, aggrieved APC members and supporters in Mushin threatened mass protests if the alleged mandate of Oladejo is not restored.

The protesters accused leaders of the Justice Forum bloc of attempting to impose candidates and undermine internal democracy within the party.

“We know who won the election, and the mandate should not be stolen. We are ready to protest if justice is not done,” one protester said.

The developments have heightened tensions within the Lagos APC, with growing concerns over possible factional divisions ahead of future electoral contests.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts