Democracy in Shambles: APC’s “Consensus” Charade Ignites Protests in Lagos
The façade of internal democracy within Lagos State’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) crumbled spectacularly on Saturday as enraged party members took to the streets, exposing the party’s ruthless power plays just two months before the July 12 local government elections.
The “Consensus” That Wasn’t
While APC officials smugly announced the smooth emergence of chairmanship candidates through “consensus” for most of Lagos’ 57 councils, the reality on the ground told a different story. In Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba LCDA, the party’s attempt to force-feed handpicked candidates to members backfired dramatically, triggering protests that spread from the working-class neighborhoods of Ebute Metta to the glitzy media hub of Victoria Island.
“What consensus?” demanded Taorid Owolabi, a visibly agitated party member who led protesters to Arise TV headquarters. “You cannot have consensus when aspirants have not agreed. This is dictatorship dressed as democracy.”
The protests lay bare the APC’s contradictory political identity a party that rode to power on promises of progressive change and transparency, now apparently comfortable with the same backroom dealing and imposition tactics it once condemned in opposition.
Legal Time Bombs Ticking
Perhaps most damning for the ruling party is the revelation that the sham primaries may have planted the seeds of its own electoral defeat. A lawsuit (Suit No. ID/8948GCM/2025) already hangs over the process like a sword of Damocles, threatening to unravel the party’s candidates before they even reach the ballot.
“This could cost us everything,” warned Sodeeq Olawepo, another protester who pulled no punches about the potential consequences. “The opposition is watching and laughing as we self-destruct. These power-hungry leaders are gambling with not just the local elections but even our 2027 prospects.”
Political analysts note that the protests represent more than just localized discontent they expose the fragility of APC’s grip on its strongholds in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center. With the state controlling an estimated annual budget of over N1.7 trillion, the stakes for controlling local councils could not be higher.
The Godfather System Under Scrutiny
Though protesters carefully avoided mentioning names, the shadow of the state’s political godfathers looms large over the controversy. The selection of candidates for local government positions has historically been a closed-door affair where loyalty to certain political figures trumps competence or popularity.
“What happened to direct primaries? What happened to letting the people choose?” asked a female protester who requested anonymity, fearing repercussions. “They preach democracy nationally but practice monarchy locally.”
The contrasting scenes at the APC secretariat on Acme Road spoke volumes orchestrated celebrations for “consensus” candidates in some areas, while others descended into chaos and recrimination. Party officials hurriedly announced over 50 chairmanship candidates by Saturday evening, seemingly determined to bulldoze through the selection process regardless of the growing discontent.
A Democracy Deficit
For many observers, the controversy highlights a persistent democracy deficit within Nigeria’s political parties, where godfather politics and patronage networks trump democratic principles. The APC, which once positioned itself as different from previous ruling parties, appears to have fully embraced the same playbook of candidate imposition.
“We respectfully call on the State Working Committee to reschedule the primary,” Owolabi stated, though his diplomatic language belied the anger evident among protesters. “But make no mistake if they insist on this path, we will meet them in court.”
As dusk settled over Lagos on Saturday, the protesters had dispersed but their message lingered. For a party that swept to power promising change, the APC’s handling of these primaries suggests that when it comes to internal democracy, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
The coming weeks will determine whether the party’s leadership can contain this rebellion or whether the protests in Lagos Mainland and Yaba are just the first tremors of a larger political earthquake that could reshape Lagos politics ahead of the July polls.
Reference
Democracy in Shambles: APC’s “Consensus” Charade Ignites Protests in Lagos