Tensions within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reached a boiling point on Monday as party members, under the banner of Concerned and Loyal APC Members, staged a protest outside the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Their demands centered on fair distribution of political appointments at the local government level and the immediate resignation of the state party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

Protesters accused the party’s leadership of promoting nepotism, specifically alleging that key appointments have been monopolised by the Justice Forum (JF) faction.

This imbalance, they claimed, has led to growing frustration among grassroots supporters and threatens the unity of the party ahead of future elections.

At the heart of the protest was growing dissatisfaction with Pastor Ojelabi’s leadership, which the group says has been marked by poor management and electoral failures since he assumed office in 2021.

“The people’s votes, which put leaders in power, are not being respected; appointments are monopolised by a single faction,” said Sulaiman Agbaje, a protester from Alimosho.

The group further alleged that under Ojelabi’s tenure, the APC conducted what they called the “worst primary election” in the party’s history across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the state.

They contrasted his leadership unfavorably with past party chairmen like Abiodun Ogunleye, Otunba Henry Ajomale, and Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, who were praised for inclusivity and stronger electoral performance.

In a striking claim, they stated: “For the first time since the advent of the Fourth Republic, the Ojelabi-led party lost Lagos State to the opposition in 2023!”

They also lamented the party’s weak showing in the recent local government elections, blaming the outcome on poor candidate selection and internal marginalisation.

Speaking on future implications, Bayode Taofeeq, a party member from Ikotun-Isheri, warned:

“We demand a 50/50 split or an equitable ratio of appointments between the Mandate and Justice Forum groups. This would ensure fairness and reflect the contributions of all party members.”

He emphasized that failure to address this internal crisis could severely damage the party’s prospects ahead of the critical 2027 general elections.

In their petition, read aloud by protest spokesperson Segun Faleye, the group accused Ojelabi and key allies, including Hon. James Faleke, of plotting to entrench a “winner-takes-all” system by manipulating local government executive selections.

“The members of the party are not happy. We are tired of his selfish leadership and the plot of his team to derail from the progressive ideals championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the group declared.

Despite their anger, the protesters reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and expressed support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda.

However, they were resolute in their call for urgent leadership change.

“Our prayer to the illustrious leaders of our party is to ask Pastor Ojelabi to leave the party NOW to avoid another imminent disaster in our party administration.”

They further called for leaders to allow constitutional officers to carry out their duties without interference from individuals with what they described as “selfish interests.”

The group concluded its address with a firm warning:

“Enough is Enough! Ojelabi and co. should take an honourable exit and allow our party to breathe in Lagos State.”

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El‑Rufai, distancing itself from any involvement with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition he was allegedly championing.

According to Ambassador Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, the decision was made by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) following prior denunciation from both El‑Rufai’s ward, Unguwar Sarki, Kaduna North LGA and the Kaduna State Executive Committee.

El‑Rufai is accused of bypassing usual registration procedures “rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, El‑Rufai simply forged his own documents, self‑registered, and arrogated to himself ‘number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward’”, a move directly at odds with official party records.

Additionally, the SDP rejected El‑Rufai’s negotiations with the ADC, stating these were in “breach of the SDP constitution.”

Aiyenigba emphasized the action taken:

“The SDP at all levels disassociates, disclaims, disfellowships, excommunicates Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai as a member of the SDP; and to the extent that he purportedly claims membership by self‑registration or any other means, Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai is consequently expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally.”

The statement continued: “The foregoing actions by the NWC … are consequent upon the unacceptable acts of gross indiscipline of Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai, particularly in respect of the undeniable fact of having publicly declared for the ADC his selfish agenda to destabilise the party by way of sponsoring a group of dissidents to call an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Party on Friday, July 25, 2025. Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai is hereby banished and banned from any activities of the SDP for a period of 30 (thirty) years effective from today.”

“Members of the SDP across Nigeria and the general public are informed that Mallam Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai is not a member of the SDP and does not represent the interests of the party effective until Wednesday, July 28, 2055.”

Elder statesman and member of The Patriots, Professor Anya O. Anya, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political system, warning that even a saint would become corrupt under the country’s current structure.

In an interview monitored by DAILY GAZETTE, the 88-year-old scholar and national figure called for urgent constitutional reform and a return to values.

Anya emphasized the need for a completely new constitution, dismissing current efforts at piecemeal amendments as ineffective.

“We cannot have a constitution that is patch-patch work. Ultimately, each time you patch it up, a new leak or problem would arise,” he said.

He stressed that only a people-driven constitution can address the country’s foundational issues, noting the 1999 Constitution was a military decree lacking legitimacy.

Anya lamented the moral and value collapse in Nigeria’s political culture.

“The value system has collapsed. Drugs and other problems are all there because the fundamental thing that holds Nigeria together has collapsed,” he said.

He added that Nigeria now lacks red lines or consequences for wrongdoing:

“There must be things that if you cross that line you are on your own and will pay the price. Right now, there is no such rule in Nigeria.”

He partly blamed military regimes for eroding democratic principles and fostering selfish governance:

“The succession of military governments in our history has not helped us. It’s what prepared the ground for this other development of taking care of myself first rather than thinking of the country.”

Reacting to Obasanjo’s claim that Nigeria’s problem is not the constitution but bad leadership, Anya offered a nuanced take:

“Even if you take a saint and there is no value system that guides him, the saint will become just an ordinary looter.”

Anya, who played a leading role in the 2014 Confab, maintained that the summit was necessary:

“It became clear that if you went to elect people as had happened once, it doesn’t work… they now become the boss.”

Anya said it’s too early to judge President Bola Tinubu, given the “noise” and uncertainty surrounding governance today.

“Even if I told you what God himself has said… the atmosphere we have is not conducive to discuss what God wants us to take.”

On the registration of over 140 political groups with INEC, Anya was skeptical:

“Does it make sense? People are being attracted to the opportunity it gives them to look after themselves.”

He questioned whether the 2027 elections will even take place:

“The way it is going, are you sure there will be 2027 election? You are creating a new environment, a new set of problems… That is an invitation to chaos.”

Anya warned that Nigeria’s democracy lacks majority participation.

“Out of the 93 million registered voters, less than one-third actually voted… Of every three people that voted, one voted for Tinubu and two voted against him. But he is the President.”

He called this situation inconsistent with democracy:

“The minority is ruling the majority… You have to find a solution.”

Backing the idea of a single six-year term, he argued: “The disruptions that come in the process of looking for second term are themselves morally intolerable… If after six years you have not downloaded the great ideas you have, it means you have no idea.”

Despite his critiques, Anya sees potential in young Nigerians: “Have you wondered why young Nigerian men and women are winning laurels globally?… We should start looking at: What is it that God is telling us?”

Anya insisted that returning to foundational values is the only path to national healing.

“Let’s go back to the fundamentals… It will give you a path to the future… A society where there is no punishment is not a normal society.”

Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has strongly criticized a proposed Senate bill aimed at permanently designating the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-Chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council, saying the move marginalizes other traditional rulers across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and geopolitical landscape.

In a statement released on Sunday in Enugu, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, expressed concern over what it called a disregard for fairness and constitutional principles.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the controversial bill has already passed second reading in the Senate.

Chukwu described the bill as deeply flawed and divisive.

“The Senate in this vein has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate.
This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable.”

“It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice in a pluralist nation-State like Nigeria,” he said.

Ohanaeze called on the Senate to urgently withdraw the bill and undertake a review that accounts for ethnic diversity, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, and inclusive governance.

“It is only by so doing shall the bill foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability,” Chukwu added.

He emphasized that elevating only two traditional rulers above others would undermine the spirit of federal character enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and erode the respect accorded to monarchs from other ethnic nationalities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has placed a temporary restriction on all newly sworn-in 57 Local Government and LCDA Chairmen, barring them from appointing Secretaries to Local Governments (SLGs) and Supervisory Councillors.

The directive came shortly after he administered the oath of office to the elected chairmen and vice-chairmen at a ceremony held at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu instructed the new council bosses to spend the next 30 to 60 days familiarizing themselves with the needs of their respective communities.

He clarified that the state government would later notify them when the appointments could proceed.

However, he urged them to immediately appoint Chiefs of Staff to help coordinate their daily activities.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership and prioritizing citizens’ welfare, saying Lagos would not tolerate underperformance or betrayal of public trust.

“We are living through a new era of local government autonomy, fiscal and administrative independence now affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Lagos has consistently taken the lead in this regard.”

“As chairmen, you now have direct access to your council’s funds. With this comes direct accountability. No excuses. No finger pointing. The buck now stops with you,” he declared.

He urged the new leaders to treat this autonomy with responsibility and transparency, reminding them that leadership is a public duty, not personal privilege.

“Use this autonomy wisely. Guard it with transparency. Let your tenure reflect not political entitlement, but public responsibility. Leadership must never be about personal gain; it must be about public impact,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Describing the mandate given to the chairmen as a “call to service and selfless leadership,” the governor asked them to lead with courage, clarity of purpose, and compassion.

“The people have placed in your hands not just votes but their dreams. Their expectations are clear: better roads, safer streets, functioning health centres, thriving schools, modern markets, environmental sanitation, youth engagement, and community security. These are not abstractions; they are daily necessities. And your performance will be measured not by the eloquence of your speeches but by the visibility of your actions.”

He reminded them that Lagos State’s THEMES+ agenda must reflect in every part of the state:

“Lagos is counting on you to bring development to every street, every ward, every community. Let the THEMES+ agenda of our administration come alive in your domains. Translate our vision in Transportation, Health, Education, Environment, Security and Social Inclusion into projects that impact lives.”

“Let rural communities feel the presence of the government. Let our riverine and underserved areas know that they, too, are not forgotten. Governance must be inclusive, equitable, and people-centred.”

“Your success is our success. The State Government stands firmly with you. We will support you. We will work with you. But we will also hold you to the highest standards.”

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, praised the newly elected chairmen, calling their emergence a clear endorsement by the people. He applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership in ensuring credible and peaceful local government elections.

“The election and swearing-in of the council chairmen and their deputies is a call to deepen governance at the grassroots level and ensure service delivery to all,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the new council bosses, Sesan Olowa, Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu and Lagosians for the trust placed in them. Olowa, who was elected Chairman of Conference 57 during the event, vowed that the new leaders would uphold APC values and deliver good governance.

“We will uphold the values of the APC and ensure that development touches every ward and community under our care,” he pledged.

The swearing-in ceremony was graced by top officials and dignitaries, including First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat, members of the state and national assemblies, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, APC Lagos State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, traditional rulers, and market leaders.

In a move to address the growing health crisis linked to heart-related conditions in Nigeria, the National Assembly has given the green light to establish the National Institute for Cardiovascular Disease, Research and Treatment in Kano State.

The bill, championed by Hassan Shehu Hussain, who represents the Nassarawa Federal Constituency of Kano State, successfully passed the House of Representatives on April 2 and received Senate concurrence on July 15.

The institute is expected to function as a national centre of excellence focused on diagnosis, treatment, research, and medical training in the field of cardiovascular health.

Speaking on the significance of the bill, Hussain emphasized the urgency, noting that heart disease has become one of the top causes of death in the country.

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, placing immense pressure on the country’s health system,” he said.

A 2023 report by the Nigerian Heart Foundation supported this concern, revealing that over 30% of Nigerian adults suffer from high blood pressure, and one in five hospital deaths in the country is linked to cardiovascular issues.

The report pointed to urbanisation, poor diets, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of early diagnosis as key contributing factors.

Once operational, the Kano-based institute will provide:

Specialised treatment and rehabilitation for patients with heart conditions

Training programs for healthcare workers in cardiac care

Advanced research initiatives targeting cardiovascular diseases

Collaboration opportunities with both domestic and international stakeholders to secure funding and drive innovation

According to Hussain, the centre will offer far-reaching benefits beyond just healthcare services.

“The centre will not only provide cutting-edge cardiovascular care but also foster homegrown research and capacity building, particularly tailored to Nigeria’s unique health challenges.”

He further noted that the facility would play a critical role in generating jobs, spurring medical innovation and reducing the country’s reliance on foreign medical tourism for heart-related treatments.