Local government chairmanship aspirants under the Lagos State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over the alleged failure to refund their nomination and expression of interest fees.
The group claimed that while some councillorship aspirants and a few chairmanship contenders have reportedly received refunds, more than 300 chairmanship hopefuls are still awaiting payment. They dismissed assertions that all aspirants have been reimbursed, warning that the situation is breeding discontent and destabilizing the party at the grassroots.
According to them, the Lagos APC is grappling with what they described as one of the most serious internal crises in its history. At the heart of the dispute, they said, is the refusal of the state chapter to comply with a directive allegedly issued by President Tinubu alongside the moral backing of the Lagos State governor — instructing that all aspirants in the disputed 2025 council primaries be refunded.
The aspirants described the council elections as one of the most controversial in the state’s history, alleging the process was widely perceived as opaque and predetermined. Despite their grievances, they said they accepted presidential intervention in the interest of party unity and cohesion.
They, however, accused the Lagos APC leadership, led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, of defying the directive.
The group argued that no state chapter should disregard the authority of the President, particularly one regarded as a founding pillar of the party and a former Lagos governor. They warned that continued non-compliance could deepen resentment among grassroots mobilizers and potentially lead to voter apathy, internal sabotage, and weakened party credibility ahead of future elections.
Calling on party elders and stakeholders to intervene, the aspirants urged the state executive to immediately implement the refund directive. They stressed that the matter goes beyond financial reimbursement, touching instead on justice, party discipline, and leadership integrity.
Failure to resolve the issue promptly, they cautioned, could cast a long shadow over upcoming elections in Lagos State and beyond.
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