LG Poll: Legal Battle Threatens APC Primary Outcome in Lagos

A legal dispute is threatening the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship primary in Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos.

Former Lagos State lawmaker and chairmanship aspirant, Rotimi Olowo, has filed a lawsuit against the party, alleging vote inflation and procedural irregularities during the May 10 primary.

Olowo, who served two terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly, is asking the court to declare him the legitimate winner and compel the APC to present all electoral materials used during the exercise.

The matter is currently before the Lagos State High Court in Yaba. During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Mojisola Balogun granted Olowo permission to serve court documents to the defendants electronically via WhatsApp due to their absence in court. The judge further instructed that photographic records and device-generated printouts used in the service process be submitted for official documentation

The defendants include Ashimi Lateef, the declared winner of the primary; Ogalla; Lawal Pedro, chairman of the APC Peace Committee; and the APC itself. The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), also named as a defendant, has already been served.

Speaking to reporters, Olowo’s counsel, Philip Jimoh Lasisi (SAN), described the primary as lacking credibility and democratic integrity, citing discrepancies in the official results. “There were only 25 accredited voters, yet 26 votes were declared—23 for Ashimi Lateef, three for another aspirant, and zero for Olowo and 15 others. That clearly indicates manipulation,” he said.

The case has heightened tensions within the Shomolu chapter of the APC, where party members and residents staged protests in May, rejecting the result and accusing local leaders of imposing a candidate.

The legal dispute comes just weeks before the July 12 local government elections in Lagos, raising concerns about the APC’s internal democratic processes and its readiness for the polls.

Justice Balogun adjourned the matter to July 7 for an accelerated hearing.