Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have rejected the alleged imposition of Bayo Adefuye as the party’s chairmanship candidate for the upcoming local government elections.
In a formal protest letter addressed to the Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, the group described the move as “undemocratic, provocative, and a clear affront to the will of the people.”
The letter was jointly signed by ward representatives across all nine wards in Yaba LCDA, including Domingo Babajide (Ward A), Kemi Aboyarin (Ward B), Adediran Olorunnimbe (Ward C), Taoreed Abiona (Ward D), Alani Ifatokun (Ward E), Oladunjoye Omoniyi (Ward F), Olaofe Fatai (Ward G), Idayat Abdul Rasaq (Ward H), and Shakiru Adebowale (Ward I).
The signatories, who identified themselves as the Apex Leadership of the APC in Yaba, warned that the alleged imposition could severely damage party unity, erode grassroots support, and threaten the APC’s credibility and electoral success in the area.
They urged the party leadership to uphold internal democracy and respect the will of the people, stressing that any attempt to force a candidate on the party risks provoking unrest and disenchantment among loyal members.
Read Also: APC group demands review of Lagos LG primary election result, alleges fraud
“Yaba LCDA is not a private estate to be passed from father to son,” the leaders wrote, stressing that Adefuye lacks the political roots and community involvement in Yaba to justify his candidacy.
Among the reasons cited for the opposition were Adefuye’s prior political engagement in Shomolu/Bariga, his recent reappointment to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) as a representative of Shomolu/Bariga, and his lack of permanent residence or verifiable community involvement in Yaba.
The leaders also argued that qualified and long-standing APC members in Yaba, some with over 30 years of community service, have signalled interest in the position and should not be sidelined for an outsider.
They further reminded Senator Adefuye of his 2019 stance when he opposed a candidate with maternal ties to Shomolu, insisting he contest in his paternal base, calling for similar consistency now.
The letter urged the party’s leadership to urgently intervene and halt what they termed “an external imposition,” warning that failure to do so could have damaging consequences on the party’s unity and prospects in future elections.