Lagos APC Ticket Crisis Escalates as Agege, Somolu Protests Test Party Cohesion

The crisis over the allocation of House of Assembly tickets within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened, with fresh protests by aggrieved members from Agege Constituency I and Somolu Constituency II exposing widening cracks within the ruling party.

What began as dissatisfaction with the outcome of the party’s primary process has evolved into a broader contest for political influence, with rival camps intensifying pressure on the party leadership over the controversial candidates’ list.

The latest demonstration saw hundreds of party faithful converge on the APC State Secretariat in Acme, Lagos, demanding a review of the list released by the party. Protesters insisted that the names announced did not reflect the outcome of the primary exercise and urged the national leadership to intervene.

The development has generated intense discussions among party stakeholders, many of whom fear that the lingering dispute could undermine reconciliation efforts and threaten the unity of the Lagos APC.

In Agege Constituency I, supporters of Hon. Kolawole Egunjobi have remained vocal in challenging the outcome of the selection process. Egunjobi, who is considered politically close to Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, is at the centre of demands for a review of the ticket allocation.

A similar situation is unfolding in Somolu Constituency II, where supporters of Hon. Samuel Apata have continued to mount pressure on party leaders over the disputed ticket. Apata is widely believed to enjoy the support of prominent APC chieftain and former ALGON President, Hon. Kolade Alabi.

Political analysts note that the latest protests have taken on added significance due to the visible alignment of demonstrators with established political blocs. While supporters from Agege openly identified with Egunjobi’s camp, protesters from Somolu and Bariga displayed campaign materials bearing the images of Apata and Kolade Alabi.
Although neither Obasa nor Alabi has been directly linked to the organisation of the protests, the open display of loyalty to their respective camps has fuelled speculation about the political interests driving the sustained agitation.

The situation has also sparked calls for greater intervention from senior party figures, with some stakeholders urging influential leaders in the affected constituencies to help de-escalate tensions and encourage dialogue among aggrieved members.

Party insiders warn that failure to resolve the dispute promptly could deepen factional divisions and weaken internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.

Observers say the controversy has become more than a disagreement over candidate selection, emerging instead as a critical test of leadership, party discipline and conflict management within one of Nigeria’s most powerful political organisations.
As negotiations continue behind the scenes, attention remains fixed on whether the APC leadership can find a compromise that addresses the concerns of aggrieved members while preserving party unity.

For now, the battles over the Agege and Somolu tickets remain unresolved, leaving the Lagos APC confronted with a delicate balancing act between internal democracy, reconciliation and political stability.