Tinubu’s House of Commotion: Lagos APC in Disarray, A Shameful Display of Governance

Dear Fellow Citizens,

It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern that we turn our attention to the growing chaos within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly as the state government and the Lagos State House of Assembly appear entangled in a battle of egos and arrogance over the upcoming local government elections. As we speak, the clock is ticking, and yet there seems to be no resolution in sight to the fundamental issues surrounding the local election process. This is indeed a shameful display of misgovernance, especially for a party that claims to represent the best interests of Nigerians.

The Battle for Supremacy Between the State Government and the House of Assembly

At the heart of the matter is the dispute between the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State House of Assembly, which has escalated to a point where both sides are refusing to come to terms on the conduct of the local government elections. This battle of supremacy is not just a political squabble; it is a direct violation of the trust the citizens of Lagos have placed in their leaders. While these two entities engage in their senseless power struggle, the people of Lagos are left to wonder whether their voices will be heard in the forthcoming elections, and whether these elections will even happen at all.

The Constitutional Question: LG vs. LCDA

One of the most contentious issues surrounding this debacle is the question of whether elections should be held in the 20 constitutionally recognized local governments (LGs) or in the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as stipulated by the Supreme Court ruling in the suit between the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Federal Government. The ruling clearly affirms the constitutionality of the 20 LGs, yet the Lagos State Government appears to be adamant about including the LCDAs in the election process, despite the legal uncertainty surrounding their status.

The fact that we are even debating this issue in 2024 reflects the disdain some of our leaders have for the rule of law. It is appalling that, despite a clear Supreme Court judgment, the APC is attempting to disregard this constitutional directive and impose its own interpretation of how elections should be conducted. This is not only a violation of the law, but it is also an insult to the very citizens who are expected to vote in these elections.

The Role of the APC and LASIEC in the Election Process

Another critical issue is the question of who is responsible for determining the mode and format of the local government elections in Lagos State. Is it the State Government? The APC? Or the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC)? We are on the verge of a situation where the APC, led by its State Chairman, has already dictated the terms of the 2025 local government election without any regard for the law or due process. In a recent statement, the Chairman has outrightly declared the mode and format of the election, as though the party has the authority to decide how the electoral process will unfold. This overreach not only undermines the independence of LASIEC, but it also raises serious questions about the impartiality of the election process.

What is more alarming is the recent intervention by the Chief of Staff to the President, who, in a speech to his constituents, seemingly endorsed this undemocratic approach to the election process. The statement from the Chief of Staff, and the subsequent rejoinder by the Lagos State APC Chairman, makes it abundantly clear that things are falling apart in the very home of President Bola Tinubu, the leader of the APC.

A Warning to Lagosians: Is This the Beginning of the End for APC?

Lagosians, the signs are clear: the house of the APC is crumbling from within. The infighting and arrogance of the party’s leaders have led to a breakdown in the smooth functioning of governance, and the very foundation of democratic processes in Lagos is under threat. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for the APC, or is this simply the end of the beginning? The internal strife within the APC mirrors the exact same pattern the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) exhibited before it lost its grip on power in 2015. We all remember how the PDP’s internal disarray in 2011 led to the formation of the APC in 2013 and the eventual triumph of the APC in 2015.

It is particularly unfortunate that the cracks within President Tinubu’s political family are becoming more evident at this critical juncture, especially in his own homestead of Lagos. This is not just a political issue; it is a constitutional one. Will the President stand by the rule of law and ensure that Lagos State upholds the Constitution, or will he remain silent and allow the state to continue violating the law? The people of Lagos deserve better, and they deserve to have their voices heard in a transparent and lawful election process.

Conclusion: We Are Watching

Lagosians, we are watching. We are watching as the political elite squabble over power, ignoring the very laws that govern our nation. We are watching as the APC continues to push forward with its agenda, without any regard for the Constitution, the rule of law, or the will of the people. The time for political posturing is over. The people of Lagos deserve a fair and legal election process, and it is time for the ruling party to stop undermining democracy.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and we will not allow this mismanagement of our future to go unchecked. The people of Lagos must hold their leaders accountable, and we must demand that the rule of law be upheld, no matter the political cost.

Let us hope that the President, in whose hands the fate of our nation lies, will act decisively to ensure that Lagos is not above the law, and that elections are conducted in accordance with the constitution.

We are watching, and we will not be silent.

Yours sincerely,

Citizen Ishola Saheed Bamgbose