The All Progressives Congress in Lagos state has denied allegations that it has compiled a predetermined list of candidates ahead of upcoming primaries for legislative seats.
In a statement Thursday, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi described the claims as false and aimed at creating the impression of a crisis within the party.
The allegations were made by a group calling itself “Concerned Members of the Lagos State chapter of the APC,” which accused some party leaders of planning to impose candidates for the House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly.
The group, led by Tunde Samson, named Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, lawmaker James Faleke, Ojelabi and party chieftain Mutiu Aare as those allegedly involved in compiling the list.
Ojelabi rejected the claims, saying there were no secret meetings or plans to predetermine candidates.
“We state without equivocation that there is no plot, no clandestine meetings, and no predetermined list of candidates as falsely alleged,” he said.
He added that the party would adopt direct primaries if consensus candidates could not be agreed upon after consultations, in line with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
Ojelabi accused unnamed individuals of spreading misinformation to advance personal ambitions, describing the allegations as “baseless” and “mischievous.”
He said the party remained committed to due process and internal democracy, emphasizing that candidates would emerge through lawful and transparent procedures.
“The voice of duly registered party members remains supreme, and that voice shall find full expression through duly sanctioned democratic mechanisms,” he said.
The chairman urged party members and the public to disregard the allegations, which he said were intended to create unnecessary tension and undermine confidence in the party’s processes.
