A fresh political storm has erupted within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State after Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of Bola Tinubu, threatened a protest over the outcome of the party’s recently concluded primaries.
Tinubu-Ojo, who is also the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and one of the most influential figures among Lagos traders and market women, openly rejected some of the results announced by the Lagos APC, alleging that the process was manipulated in favour of the party’s Justice Forum faction.
Speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders at her office in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, Tinubu-Ojo accused party leaders of attempting to alter the mandates of candidates she claimed legitimately won the primaries.
The Lagos APC had earlier released the names of candidates who emerged during the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the list signed by Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, 24 candidates secured House of Representatives tickets, while 40 candidates emerged for the Lagos State House of Assembly elections.
However, Tinubu-Ojo insisted that the results for Mushin Federal Constituency 2, Agege Constituency 2, and Ojokoro Constituency were allegedly skewed.
She specifically mentioned candidates such as Hon. Seye Oladejo, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo, and Olotu Ojo, insisting they genuinely won the elections and should not be denied their mandates.
We are ready to protest because of Seye Oladejo of Mushin Federal Constituency 02, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo of Agege 2 constituency, Olotu Ojo of Ojokoro constituency, because we know they won this election. Their mandate should not be given to somebody else,” she declared.
Her comments have further exposed deepening cracks within the Lagos APC ahead of the 2027 political season, especially between the influential Justice Forum and Mandate Group factions battling for control of the party structure.
Tinubu-Ojo warned that unresolved grievances from the primaries could destabilise unity within the ruling party and weaken APC’s dominance in Lagos if urgent intervention is not made.
She accused politicians of abandoning the Mandate Group to align with the Justice Forum because of growing beliefs that Obafemi Hamzat, who is reportedly linked to the Justice Forum, may emerge as the next governor of Lagos State.
We have to cry out now. Let APC cancel Justice and Mandate Forums. We are one family. We are for APC,” she said.
According to her, factional politics within the party was becoming dangerous and discouraging loyal members who had worked tirelessly for the APC over the years.
It is saddening. It is a way of telling us that hard work does not pay in politics. Something must be done about it,” she added.
Tinubu-Ojo also stressed that traders and market women remain one of the strongest political structures in Lagos and deserve greater recognition and inclusion in governance and political appointments.
She reaffirmed the support of Lagos traders for Hamzat’s governorship ambition and other APC candidates while insisting that market leaders must not be sidelined despite their contributions to the party’s electoral success over the years.
Political observers say the public outburst by Tinubu’s daughter is a major sign of internal unrest within the Lagos APC and could intensify succession battles ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The development is also expected to fuel speculation over who eventually succeeds President Tinubu’s political influence in Lagos as powerful blocs continue to position themselves for dominance
