Local council chairmanship aspirants in Lagos State All Progressives Congress have petitioned President Bola Tinubu on non-refund of their nomination and expression of interest fees.
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The group alleged refunds have reportedly been made to aspiring councillors and a few in the chairmanship race, but that over 300 of them are yet to get their refunds.
It denied claims all aspirants have been refunded. It said this situation is generating dissatisfaction and affecting party stability at the grassroots level.
“All Progressives Congress in Lagos State is today facing one of the gravest self-inflicted crises in its political history.
“At the centre of this is refusal of Lagos State chapter to comply with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, and the moral authority of governor of Lagos State—regarding refund of funds paid by aspirants who contested the controversial 2025 council chairmanship and councillorship elections.
“This election has gone down as the most disputed and contentious exercise in the history of Lagos State.
“Members who invested service, resources, and grassroots mobiliation into APC, were subjected to a process perceived as opaque, exclusionary, and predetermined.
“Yet, in the spirit of party loyalty and national interest, these aspirants accepted intervention of the President, who directed that all aspirants be refunded to restore confidence, justice, and internal cohesion.
“Shockingly, the state APC leadership, under Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has chosen a path of open defiance.
“This refusal raises questions about discipline, loyalty, and respect for hierarchy in the party… they said.
“Let it be stated clearly: no state chapter of a political party is greater than the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially when that President is a founding pillar of the same party and a former Governor of Lagos State himself.
“To disregard such a directive is not merely administrative arrogance; it is an act of political insubordination with far-reaching consequences.
“The continued refusal to refund these aspirants has already fueled anger, resentment, and quiet rebellion across wards and local governments. Grassroots mobilizers—the very engine of electoral success—feel betrayed and humiliated.
“If this injustice is allowed to stand, it will inevitably translate into voter apathy, internal sabotage, protest votes, and loss of credibility ahead of future general elections.
“History has shown repeatedly that political parties do not collapse from external opposition but from internal injustice. What is happening in Lagos today is a textbook example of how unchecked impunity at the state level can undermine national leadership and weaken party unity.
We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians, party elders, progressive leaders, and stakeholders to urgently prevail on Ojelabi, and the entire State Exco to immediately comply with the President’s directive and refund all affected aspirants without further delay.
“This is not merely about money. It is about justice, credibility, party discipline, and the moral authority of leadership. Failure to resolve this matter promptly will cast a long and damaging shadow over upcoming elections in Lagos State and beyond, with consequences that may be irreversible.”
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