Just In: Crisis Brews In Lagos APC as President Tinubu’s Daughter Rejects Justice Forum, Mandate Movement, Alleges Marginalization
The internal crisis within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensified on Wednesday as the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, called for the disbandment of the influential Justice Forum and Mandate Movement groups over alleged manipulation of party primaries.
Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, specifically criticised the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries in Mushin Constituency I, Agege Constituency II, and Ojokoro, alleging that the mandates of winning aspirants were unlawfully transferred to other candidates.
Speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders at the Iyaloja-General’s office in Alausa, Ikeja, she condemned what she described as political manipulation and warned against efforts to undermine the will of party members.
“We have to cry out now. Let APC cancel Justice Forum and Mandate Movement. Everybody is now defecting to the Justice Forum because that is where the incoming governor belongs. This situation is discouraging and sends the wrong message that hard work does not pay in politics,” she said.
The Iyaloja General alleged that aspirants such as Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo in Agege Constituency II, Seye Oladejo in Mushin Federal Constituency, and Olotu Emmanuel Ojo in Ojokoro clearly won their respective primaries before attempts were allegedly made to alter the results.
According to her, members of the Mandate Movement have increasingly abandoned the group for the Justice Forum due to perceptions that the latter enjoys stronger political influence within the party hierarchy. She warned that such developments could further worsen divisions within the APC if urgent steps were not taken to restore confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.
Tinubu-Ojo also expressed concern over what she described as the continued marginalisation of traders despite their longstanding support and contributions to the electoral success of the APC in Lagos State. She maintained that market women and traders deserved greater recognition and political inclusion.
She urged APC leaders at both the state and national levels to investigate the disputed primaries and ensure justice before the final ratification of results. According to her, failure to address the grievances of aggrieved aspirants and their supporters could trigger wider unrest within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Iyaloja General further declared that market leaders across Lagos remained committed to supporting the governorship ambition of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates nationwide.
However, she stressed that loyalty and sacrifices made by traders over the years should not be ignored by political office holders.
Meanwhile, aggrieved APC members and supporters in Mushin have threatened mass protests if the alleged mandate of Seye Oladejo is not restored. The protesters accused leaders of the Justice Forum bloc of attempting to impose candidates and weaken internal democracy within the ruling party.
“We know who won the election, and the mandate should not be stolen. We are prepared to protest if justice is not done,” one of the protesters stated.
The latest controversy has further exposed the growing factional tensions within the Lagos APC, raising concerns over the party’s unity and stability as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.