By Muhammad Mamman
In a bold display of dissent, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, staging a spirited yet orderly protest against the purported imposition of appointees across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The demonstrators, visibly impassioned, also called for the immediate ousting of the party’s state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, citing the need for fresh leadership to steer the party forward.
Hundreds of protesters, believed to represent all 57 LGAs and LCDAs, converged on the Assembly complex in the early hours, their voices ringing out with chants and their placards boldly proclaiming messages such as “Ojelabi Must Go” and “We Demand New Leadership”. The vibrant demonstration drew significant attention, transforming the typically serene precincts of the Assembly into a focal point of political fervour.
To ensure calm and prevent any escalation, a robust contingent of police officers was deployed around the complex, maintaining a vigilant presence while the protesters made their grievances heard. The atmosphere, though charged, remained peaceful, a testament to the disciplined resolve of the APC members.
In a bid to defuse tensions, Lagos State Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat made a personal appearance at the protest site, engaging directly with the demonstrators. Addressing the crowd, he described the issue as an internal party matter, assuring them that swift measures would be taken to resolve the conflict amicably.
The protest underscores growing tensions within the APC in Lagos, a key political stronghold, as members demand greater transparency and accountability in the party’s decision-making processes. As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the party leadership to see how they will navigate this burgeoning crisis.
