President Tinubu Endorses Direct Primaries, Rejects Claims of Candidate Imposition

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, on Wednesday, said that President Bola Tinubu had directed that party members across the country should be allowed to choose their preferred candidates for the forthcoming governorship and legislative primaries.

Yilwatda, speaking on the Arise Television interview programme, said the President specifically emphasised that, in Lagos State, party leadership should allow members to queue behind the candidates of their choice through direct primaries when consensus is not reached.

He noted that the directive was aimed at ensuring internal democracy and credible selection processes for candidates within the party.

In a related development, the Lagos State chapter of the APC has rejected reports alleging a plot to impose candidates ahead of the forthcoming legislative elections.

In a statement signed by the state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, the party described the report as “a fabrication” designed to create disaffection within its ranks.

He added that there were no clandestine meetings or predetermined lists of candidates, stressing that the allegations were baseless and intended to create the impression of a crisis.

The Lagos APC, therefore, urged its members and the public to disregard what it called false claims, reiterating that the will of party members would ultimately determine the emergence of candidates.

Meanwhile, a grassroots support group, KOHmmunity, has begun mobilisation to actualise the governorship ambition of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group, which cuts across the metropolis, from the tech clusters of Yaba and university communities in Akoka to major markets in Alaba and Lagos Island, said it is adopting a non-traditional, citizen-driven approach to political engagement.

In a statement by one of its conveners, Dr Lanre Ajibade, the group said it operates independently of conventional campaign structures, disclosing that over 5,000 residents have registered through its membership platform.