*Seek Tinubu’s intervention

By Nnamdi Ojiego

Tensions are rising in the lead-up to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) ahead of the local government elections in Lagos State as a coalition, identified as the Concerned People of Yaba LCDA, has condemned what it described as an attempt to impose a non-resident candidate on the community.

According to the group, Senator Anthony Adefuye, a member of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), is allegedly using his political clout—and invoking the name of the Presidency—to secure the party ticket for his son, Bayo Adefuye. Bayo, who currently serves on the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is reportedly not a resident of Yaba LCDA.

In a further revelation, the group alleged what it described as “lies and name-dropping” by a presidential aide, who was allegedly contacting key political actors to impose his 70-year-old uncle as the party’s candidate.

The said presidential aide was also accused of using his office to gag and intimidate political stakeholders in the LCDA.

According to the group, many party leaders in the constituency were shocked to learn that the candidate’s sponsorship was rooted in abuse of federal connections rather than community support.

The coalition described the move as “an insult to the democratic process and the collective will of our community”, arguing that Bayo Adefuye has no verifiable grassroots connection to Yaba LCDA and accused his father of leveraging favoritism and political influence in a way that could destabilize the constituency.

“We strongly condemn any move to impose a candidate who does not have roots, genuine community interest, or the support of the people of Yaba LCDA,” the statement read.

“Such actions threaten the integrity of our party, undermine grassroots democracy, and could lead to widespread discontent”.

The group then called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Babatunde Ogala of the Election Steering Committee, to intervene and prevent what they alleged as an act of political manipulation. “We want the APC leadership to allow the people of Yaba LCDA to govern their people and not import an outsider,” it urged.

The coalition added that candidate for Yaba LCDA and Lagos Mainland must be a son of the soil, someone with capacity who has touched lives. “Yaba candidate must be genuinely connected to and supported by the local community”.