Controversies have erupted within the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) over the just-concluded chairmanship primaries ahead of the June 12 council elections, as aggrieved groups have alleged widespread imposition of candidates.

The APC’s electoral committee had earlier cleared 432 chairmanship aspirants from a total of 470 nominees for the primary election. At the end of the exercise, 55 chairmanship candidates emerged victorious, including relatives of prominent party figures, such as the deputy governor’s sibling and the son of former Minister of Works, Segun Ogunlewe.

The primary election, held under tight security at the party’s secretariat on ACME Road, Ogba, was supervised by the Electoral Committee Chairman, Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

Despite the controlled setting, Lagos Mainland Local Council and Yaba LCDA abstained from voting due to unresolved internal crises.

The Yaba LCDA’s boycott followed protests led by the Concerned Youths of Yaba, rejecting the nomination of Joseph Ojo as the party’s choice.

During the primaries, five incumbent council chairmen failed to secure a second-term bid.

Expectedly, the announcement of the results was met with protests in some councils where aspirants and community groups rejected the outcomes.

At Onigbongbo LCDA, Olufunke Rekiya Hassan, the incumbent chairman, described the declaration of Moyosore Adebanjo as a rumour, denouncing the process as a “kangaroo imposition.”

Similar dissent was recorded in Amuwo-Odofin council, where a group, known as the Progressives, rejected the declared winner, citing external influence from Abuja.

Meanwhile, Ayodele Adio, the Youth Party (YP) chairmanship candidate for Eti-Osa Local Council, has insisted that LASIEC cannot legally conduct elections in the 37 LCDAs since they are not constitutionally recognised.