The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has threatened to stage a protest over the outcome of the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State.
Naija News reports that Tinubu-Ojo accused the party of favouring members of the Justice Forum faction during the exercise.
She made the remarks on Wednesday during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders held at her office in Alausa, Ikeja.
Tinubu-Ojo specifically challenged the results announced for Mushin Federal Constituency 2, Agege Constituency 2, and Ojokoro constituencies.
The Lagos APC had earlier released the names of candidates who emerged from its House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the list signed by the Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, 24 candidates secured tickets for the House of Representatives, while 40 candidates emerged for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Tinubu-Ojo called on party leaders at both the state and national levels to investigate the disputed outcomes before the final ratification of the results.
She warned that ignoring the complaints could worsen internal divisions within the ruling party.
“We are ready to protest because of Seye Oladejo of Mushin Federal Constituency 02, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo of Agege 2 constituency, and Olotu Ojo of Ojokoro constituency because we know they won this election. Their mandate should not be handed over to someone else,” she stated.
Tinubu-Ojo further alleged that party structures were being manipulated along factional lines involving the Justice Forum and Mandate Group.
According to her, the growing division could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have to speak out now. APC should scrap the Justice and Mandate Forums. We are one family and all belong to APC. They are now using these groups because our candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, belongs to the Justice Forum.
“People are joining the Justice Forum because they believe the next governor will emerge from there. But are we not all Lagosians? We are all APC members.
“Even if he becomes governor, he cannot govern only APC members. Leadership requires balancing interests and carrying everyone along, including both supporters and opponents,” she added.
‘Hard Work Must Pay’
Tinubu-Ojo also criticised members of the Mandate Group who, according to her, were defecting to the Justice Forum for political gains.
“I do not understand why Mandate Group members are abandoning the group to join the Justice Forum. If the Mandate Group had won, they would still attempt to manipulate the process in favour of Justice Forum members.
“It is unfortunate and sends the message that hard work does not pay in politics. Something needs to be done,” she said.
She reaffirmed the commitment of market women across Lagos to support the governorship ambition of Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates.
However, she stressed that traders deserve greater political recognition and inclusion in return for their continued support.
According to Tinubu-Ojo, market women remain an important force in Lagos politics and should not be sidelined in governance or political appointments.