By: Manoah Kikekon
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Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic and political powerhouse, has increasingly become a de facto one-party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC). With the party securing 65.95% of the gubernatorial vote in 2023 and holding 20 of 36 governorships nationally, its grip on power appears unshakable.
At the heart of this dominance lies a contentious delegate system in primary elections on the upcoming chairmanship election, particularly in Local Government like Badagry, where grassroots democracy is stifled, and voter choice is routinely subverted. This article explores how the APC’s delegate machinery undermines democratic principles, entrenches one-party rule, and erodes public trust in Lagos’ political future.
The APC Delegate System: A Tool for Control
Nigeria’s electoral framework allows parties to select delegates either ad-hoc (elected locally) or statutory (automatic delegates like party leaders and officials) to vote in primaries. However, the APC has weaponized this system. In Lagos, statutory delegates, including local government chairmen, state assembly members, and party elites, often override grassroots preferences, ensuring favored candidates emerge victorious . For example, during the 2023 APC gubernatorial primary, incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu was declared the sole candidate after rivals were controversially disqualified, leaving delegates no alternative but to rubber-stamp his nomination . This top-down approach sidelines ordinary party members, reducing primaries to ceremonial exercises.
Badagry: A Microcosm of Democratic Erosion
In Badagry, a historic town with a politically active populace, the delegate system has become a flashpoint. Local APC leaders allegedly handpick ad-hoc delegates loyal to the party’s hierarchy, effectively silencing dissent. During the 2023 primaries, reports emerged of delegates being coerced or financially induced to support predetermined candidates . One resident lamented, “Our votes don’t count. The delegates are chosen for us, not by us” . This manipulation extends to general elections: in 2023, APC won all Lagos legislative seats, including Badagry’s, amid allegations of voter suppression and irregularities .
Subverting the People’s Choice: The Ripple Effect
The consequences of this system are dire. By sidelining grassroots participation, the APC stifles political competition, leaving voters with no viable alternatives. Opposition parties like the PDP and Labour Party, which secured just 5.4% and 27% of Lagos’ 2023 gubernatorial vote respectively, struggle to gain traction . Critics argue that the APC’s dominance is sustained not by performance but by systemic exclusion.
Historical Roots: From Opposition to Hegemony
The APC’s tactics mirror strategies used by past Nigerian ruling parties. Formed in 2013 through a merger of opposition groups, the APC initially championed democratic reforms. However, since gaining power in 2015, it has adopted the same coercive tactics it once condemned. Former President Buhari’s administration saw defections of opposition governors and lawmakers to the APC, a trend continuing under Tinubu . In Lagos, Tinubu’s “Godfather” role ensures loyalty through patronage, with dissenters like former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode swiftly sidelined .
The 2027 Threat: One-Party State Looms
With opposition parties in disarray—plagued by infighting and defections the APC’s one-party agenda gains momentum. The PDP’s internal crises, exemplified by Atiku Abubakar’s refusal to cede power to younger leaders, have left it fractured . Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s 2023 gains are overshadowed by its lack of infrastructure in Lagos. Analysts warn that without urgent coalition-building, the 2027 elections could cement APC’s dominance, rendering Nigeria’s democracy ornamental .
The APC’s delegate system in Badagry epitomizes a broader crisis in Nigerian democracy. For Lagos to avoid irreversible one-party rule, reforms must prioritize transparent primaries, grassroots participation, and opposition empowerment. As the 2025 Chairmanship elections approach, civil society, media, and voters must demand accountability or risk witnessing democracy’s final gasp in Africa’s largest economy.