APC Primary Crisis Deepens as Ex-Lawmaker Petitions Appeal Committee Over Alleged Irregularities

APC Primary Crisis Deepens as Ex-Lawmaker Petitions Appeal Committee Over Alleged Irregularities

…President Tinubu Reportedly Frowns at Candidate Imposition

By Naomi Onome

Fresh controversy has continued to trail the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, following a formal petition submitted to the party’s Electoral Appeal Committee by former House of Representatives member Hon. Engr Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson.

In a letter dated May 16, 2026, and addressed to the APC Electoral Appeal Committee in Ikeja, Johnson alleged widespread electoral irregularities, intimidation, result manipulation and abuse of office during the primary election conducted in Isolo LCDA.

The petition, copied to the APC Lagos State Chairman and the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, accused the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Mr Bayo Olasoju, of using his office and influence to interfere with the conduct of the exercise.

Johnson alleged that even before the commencement of the primary, reports had circulated within the constituency suggesting that a preferred candidate had already been predetermined for imposition on party members, creating tension and distrust among party faithful.

According to him, the development undermined the principles of fairness, transparency and internal democracy within the APC.

Among the allegations raised in the petition were the suppression of members’ voting rights, intimidation by security operatives, manipulation of election results, and the failure of returning officers to use official result sheets during collation.

The former lawmaker further claimed that improvised exercise books and unofficial materials were allegedly used to record and announce results across wards, a situation he said compromised the credibility and legitimacy of the exercise.

Johnson also alleged that figures eventually announced in several wards were falsified and inflated beyond the actual votes counted at polling stations.

The petition further accused the Isolo LCDA chairman of harassing and intimidating a journalist who reportedly covered the election, alleging that the journalist’s mobile phone was seized, files were deleted and the device was damaged.

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Describing the incidents as violations of democratic principles and fundamental human rights, Johnson urged the Electoral Appeal Committee to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the conduct of the primary election.

He also called on the committee to investigate the role allegedly played by security operatives, review the involvement of all persons connected to the reported irregularities, and take disciplinary action against anyone found culpable.

The former lawmaker further appealed to the party leadership to restore confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process and ensure transparent and credible primaries in future elections.

Meanwhile, fresh information emerging from a late-night meeting reportedly held at the Ikoyi residence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with South-West APC leaders has added another dimension to the unfolding controversy.

Sources familiar with the meeting disclosed that President Tinubu allegedly expressed displeasure over reports of internal party developments and alleged imposition of candidates in some states.

According to the sources, the president reportedly stated that while governors were given the privilege to coordinate party affairs in their respective states, such powers should not be abused through indiscriminate imposition of candidates.

The sources further claimed that Tinubu stressed that no individual should serve as “a judge in his own case” and reportedly directed the APC National Chairman and National Secretary to address situations where free and fair primaries did not take place.

It was also gathered that the party’s working committee allegedly directed that no results from disputed primaries should be officially announced pending transmission to Abuja for final ratification.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC leadership nor Mr Bayo Olasoju had officially responded to the allegations contained in the petition.