The recent Local Government elections in Lagos State were a decisive victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party securing wins across all 57 LGs/LCDA, including 375 councillor seats. This overwhelming success, however, was not without its challenges. While the APC triumphed in every ward and local government, one ward stood out; Ward D in Yaba LCDA, which became the only ward to lose to an opposition party, the PDP. This singular loss in an otherwise clean sweep by the APC makes the situation in Yaba particularly significant and worthy of investigation, as it raises serious questions about the internal dynamics within the party and the actions of key individuals involved.
The controversy surrounding the APC’s loss in Ward D stems from internal disputes within the Mainland Voice (MV) faction, which has played a prominent role in the party’s operations in Lagos. At the center of these disputes was the selection of the party’s flagbearer for the Ward D councillorship race. Hon. Olanrewaju Oshun, the current Member of the House of Representatives, proposed a candidate as the APC candidate for Ward D, a decision supported by the party leadership. However, this decision was opposed by Jide Jimoh, a former House of Representatives member, who is not from Ward D, and other members of Mainland Voice. Jide Jimoh and his faction sought to replace the suggested candidate with another candidate, contrary to the party’s decision to uphold the principle of party supremacy.
Despite the opposition, the party upheld its decision, and the suggested candidate by the party became the official candidate for Ward D. However, this led to a deep rift within Mainland Voice group, with key figures, including Kayode Omiyale, the Chairman of Yaba LCDA, and Omolola Essien, the Chairman of Lagos Mainland LG actively working against the APC’s chosen candidate. Reports suggest that both Omiyale and Jide Jimoh diverted resources that were intended for the APC to support opposition candidates, particularly from the PDP in Ward D and the AA party in other wards. This blatant undermining of the party’s official candidates raises serious concerns about loyalty and commitment to the APC’s objectives.
While Hon. Olanrewaju Oshun, who proposed the flagbearer, did not directly participate in these anti-party activities, his leadership within Mainland Voice is noteworthy. As a key figure in the faction, Oshun’s failure to intervene and manage the division in his group contributed to the party’s internal discord. His position as a leader within Mainland Voice implicates him in the broader leadership failure, which ultimately led to the loss of his Ward D seat to the PDP. This defeat, in a ward that was otherwise expected to be secured by the APC, can be directly linked to the actions of the Mainland Voice leadership.
Moreover, the actions of Kayode Omiyale and Jide Jimoh, stand in stark contrast to the party’s success in other local governments. For instance, in Somolu Local Government, the APC leadership upheld party supremacy, supporting Ashimi Lateef as the chairmanship candidate, despite some internal disagreements. This commitment to party unity was reflected across the state, where the APC maintained cohesion and delivered a resounding victory in all LGs/LCDAs and 375 councillor races. In contrast, the sabotage in Yaba LCDA, specifically in Ward D; severely undermined the APC’s prospects in the election.
This post, therefore, calls for a thorough investigation into the leadership of Mainland Voice group, including Omolola Essien, Kayode Omiyale, Hon. Jide Jimoh, and Hon. Olanrewaju Oshun. Their actions, whether through active sabotage or failure to prevent internal division, have had a significant negative impact on the APC’s performance, particularly in the loss of Ward D to the PDP. The actions of these individuals must be carefully examined to determine the extent of their involvement in this internal conflict and the subsequent anti-party behaviour that disrupted the party’s chances.
The APC must take immediate steps to hold its leadership accountable, both at the state and national levels. The failure to maintain party unity in Yaba LCDA, especially in the face of overwhelming success in the rest of the state, demands scrutiny. This internal division is not only a threat to the APC’s chances in future elections but also undermines the trust of voters and party members alike.
As the APC moves toward the 2027 general elections, it must prioritize party loyalty and unity above personal interests. Only through a unified and loyal party can the APC hope to secure victory in future elections and continue to serve the people effectively. The leadership of Mainland Voice group must be investigated, and those responsible for sabotaging the APC’s official candidates must be held accountable to restore the party’s integrity and ensure its success moving forward.