By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Lagos, Nigeria – As the build-up to the 2025 local government elections intensifies, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a framework for conducting its chairmanship and councilorship primaries. The party, after a high-level strategic meeting held on Monday at its state secretariat in Acme, Ikeja, reiterated its commitment to internal democracy, equity, and inclusiveness.
According to the communiqué released after the meeting, the party urged all chairmanship aspirants across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to pursue a consensus arrangement in collaboration with their local leaders.
“The party encourages peaceful dialogue among aspirants and stakeholders. Where consensus is reached, it must be formally reaffirmed at the APC State Secretariat,” the statement read.
However, in the event of a deadlock, the party said it would resort to an indirect primary system, to be conducted strictly at the Acme Secretariat. Only aspirants and one accredited agent per aspirant will be permitted access into the venue. Aspirants are also allowed to lobby LGA executives for support.
In a similar approach, councilorship aspirants are expected to work with ward leaders to achieve a consensus. Failing that, indirect primaries will be conducted at the ward level. Each primary will involve only ward executive members, the aspirants, their agents, and a designated 15-member electoral committee.
No Imposition, No Slot Sharing
Addressing speculations of internal arrangements and power-sharing deals, the APC leadership issued a stern reminder that the party would not tolerate the imposition of candidates or the allocation of elective slots among stakeholders.
“There shall be no sharing formula of slots, and there shall be no imposition of candidates. The primaries will reflect the will of party members and uphold the principles of justice, equity, and transparency,” the communiqué emphasized.
Party officials say these measures aim to consolidate grassroots support, avoid factional crises, and strengthen the democratic process within the ruling party.
Political observers in Lagos have noted that the party’s emphasis on internal democracy may have been prompted by growing calls from within and outside the APC for a more transparent candidate selection process—particularly as the state prepares for another electoral cycle.
The APC Lagos leadership reiterated by inviting aspirants and party members seeking further clarification to reach out to the state secretariat ahead of the primaries.
