Alleged imposition: APC members protest in Ogun, Surulere stakeholders kick
APC Members Protest Alleged Membership Card Denials in Ogun
By Innocent Anaba & James Ogunnaike
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — Hundreds of disgruntled members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a peaceful protest in Abeokuta South Local Government Area on Wednesday. They expressed their dissatisfaction over the alleged failure of party leaders to issue them membership cards, despite having completed their registration.
The protesters claimed that certain leaders within the party were attempting to impose candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. They argued that the delay in issuing membership cards was a deliberate effort to disenfranchise loyal members during the primaries.
Gathering at the APC secretariat in Ijaye, demonstrators displayed placards with messages such as “Give us our membership cards,” “We don’t want imposition,” and “Let us vote for our candidates.”
One protester, Adesanya Akinbode, urged party leaders to promptly distribute membership cards to registered members, emphasizing the need for participation in the party’s internal democratic process.
“We want our membership cards to vote,” Akinbode said. “We have been loyal APC members from the beginning and should not be denied our rights during the party primaries.”
Another participant, Idowu Rodiat, criticized the alleged efforts by certain leaders to impose candidates on party members.
“We seek free and fair primaries and necessary security during the process,” Rodiat stated.
Responding to the allegations, Ogun State APC Publicity Secretary Nuerudeen Olufemi denied that members were being denied access to their membership cards. He clarified that registered members could access and print their cards directly through appointed ward contact persons.
“What we expect is for registered members to meet with their ward contact persons or simply log into the platform to print their cards,” Olufemi said. “Nobody is denying anybody.”
Tensions Mount in Surulere APC Over Candidate Imposition
In a related development, a crisis is unfolding within the APC in Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos, fueled by allegations that influential leaders are attempting to impose a candidate in the upcoming Lagos State House of Assembly primaries.
Aggrieved stakeholders have accused powerful political interests of undermining internal democracy and sidelining actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliott, who is seeking reelection despite significant grassroots support.
During a recent political discussion, a party member expressed concern that the process has favored a female aspirant even before primaries begin. He stressed that all candidates should be allowed to compete freely without coercion from powerful factions.
“Party members must be permitted to choose their candidate freely. The intimidation must stop,” he asserted, claiming that some party loyalists had been removed from positions and excluded from council empowerment programs.
The controversy has reignited discussions about Elliott’s political future as he campaigns for another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly. A party leader highlighted the need for a clear understanding of lawmakers’ roles, arguing that legislators should focus on representing their constituents and driving development initiatives, rather than directly funding major infrastructure projects.
This ongoing situation reflects broader tensions within the APC as the party prepares for critical upcoming elections.
