APC in Revolt, Demand Removal of Lagos State Chairman

A political storm erupted in Lagos on Monday as aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a massive protest at the State House of Assembly, calling for the removal of the party’s state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi. The demonstrators, claiming to represent all 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, arrived at the Assembly complex in the early hours, chanting protest songs and displaying placards with bold inscriptions like “Ojelabi Must Go” and “We Demand Fresh Leadership Now.”

The protesters painted a picture of a party in crisis, accusing Ojelabi of alienating grassroots members and weakening the APC’s structures across local councils. Tunde Afolayan, a party member from Mushin LCDA, voiced the collective frustration, stating, “We are here to demand accountability and a return to the party’s core values.” Asserting that the chairman has completely lost touch with the base, Afolayan said, “We need a leader who will listen to us and strengthen the APC ahead of 2027.”

The anger appeared deeply rooted, with Mrs. Bisi Olabode from Eti-Osa East LCDA lamenting the neglect of grassroots politics, which she described as the lifeblood of the Lagos APC. ” Grassroots politics is the soul of Lagos APC. If you remove that, you have nothing left. We need someone who can unify the party and reconnect with the people,” she said.

Security was tightened around the Assembly as armed police officers monitored the protest to prevent any escalation. Despite the growing tension, neither Ojelabi nor the APC state secretariat issued any official response, leaving the demonstrators even more determined to press their demands. The protesters vowed to continue their agitation until the national leadership of the APC intervenes, warning that failure to act could plunge the party into deeper crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

As the standoff continues, political observers warn that the Lagos APC, long considered an impregnable stronghold, may be facing its most serious internal revolt in years—one that could reshape its future if not urgently addressed.

Recall that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa was impeached in an internal power struggle in January. Though he regained his seat following the resignation of the newly-elected Speaker Mojisola Meranda, political analysts say the cracks evident in the ruling APC in Lagos would only get wider and more visible as the 2027 elections approach.