Tensions Rise in Lagos as Police Mount Roadblocks Near APC Secretariat Amid Primary Election Protests

Tensions escalated in Lagos on Tuesday as police operatives set up roadblocks along Acme Road in Ikeja—home to the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat—in response to growing protests over the recently concluded local government primaries.

Now in their third day, the demonstrations have drawn waves of aggrieved party members and aspirants who accuse APC leaders of rigging the primaries and sidelining popular candidates in favour of handpicked loyalists.

Discontent first erupted on Monday, with protestors from Olorunda Local Government in Badagry and Eti-Osa storming the streets. By Tuesday, the protests had gained momentum as party loyalists from Mushin and Agbado Oke-Odo joined the call for electoral justice.

To prevent potential violence, the Lagos State Police Command deployed officers and erected barricades at both ends of Acme Road. The heightened security has caused significant traffic congestion in the area, with diverted routes and disrupted access affecting nearby businesses.

Inside the APC secretariat, the atmosphere is equally tense as party leaders scramble to manage the fallout. In a bid to address the uproar, the Lagos APC has set up an appeal panel to investigate the complaints. The panel is chaired by Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), with Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi serving as secretary.

The panel has been tasked with reviewing the petitions and determining whether the allegations of imposition and vote manipulation have merit. While the APC insists the primaries were conducted fairly, the scale and persistence of the protests reflect widespread grassroots dissatisfaction.

For now, roadblocks remain in place, and protests show no signs of abating as party members continue to demand transparency, justice, and accountability ahead of the official confirmation of candidates for the upcoming local polls.