Lagos LG Poll: Confusion as APC Opposes Gbajabiamila, Insists Election Will Hold in 37 LCDAs

By Dansu Peter  Confusion is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the conduct of the forthcomi...

By Dansu Peter 

Confusion is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the conduct of the forthcoming local government elections, as conflicting statements have emerged between the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

Badagry Today yesterday reported that The forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State will hold only in the 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs, excluding the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), according to Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila

Speaking at a meeting with the Surulere APC chapter at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday, December 28, Gbajabiamila announced that the 2025 local government elections in Lagos State would be restricted to the 20 constitutionally recognized local government areas (LGAs). He disclosed that the decision was reached after consultations between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).  

“The elections will only hold in the 20 LGAs. The Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) will coexist under a new arrangement to be unveiled by the party soon,” Gbajabiamila stated. He also emphasized the President's directive to ban factional regrouping within Lagos APC, calling for unity under Tinubu's leadership.  

However, contrary report by the New Telegraph Newspaper says Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the Lagos APC Chairman, contradicted Gbajabiamila’s position in a statement on Sunday, insisting that elections will be held in both the 20 LGAs and the 37 LCDAs.  

“It has become expedient to clear the air on the needless and distractive speculation. We wish to inform all and sundry that the local government elections will be held across the state in the 20 Local Government Councils and the 37 Local Council Development Areas in 2025,” Ojelabi declared.  

He defended the relevance of the LCDAs, noting their significant contributions to grassroots development, including infrastructure projects, primary education, healthcare, and waste management. “Since their creation, the LCDAs have brought the desired development across the state. We cannot discountenance their contributions to the overall political and socio-economic growth of Lagos,” he added.  

The conflicting positions have sparked confusion among party members and stakeholders, with many expressing concerns over the implications for the election process.  

As the debate intensifies, political analysts suggest that the disagreement reflects deeper tensions within the APC’s Lagos chapter, raising questions about the party's ability to maintain a unified front ahead of the 2025 elections.  

Observers are now waiting for further clarification from the party’s leadership, as the issue threatens to overshadow preparations for the polls.