The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations of a plot to impose candidates ahead of forthcoming legislative elections, describing the claims as malicious, baseless, and intended to create unnecessary tension within the party.

In a statement on Thursday, the state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, said the report attributed to a faceless group of “concerned and vigilant members” was a fabrication designed to mislead the public and stir internal discord.

Ojelabi stated that there were no clandestine meetings or predetermined lists of candidates, insisting that the allegations were a calculated attempt to manufacture a crisis where none exists.

He accused unnamed individuals of resorting to propaganda and anonymous media campaigns after failing to advance their ambitions through legitimate party structures.

According to him, such actions would not intimidate the party leadership or disrupt its democratic processes.

The party also raised concerns over what it described as destabilizing activities by “fifth columnists,” urging security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other stakeholders to take note of attempts to overheat the political environment through misinformation.

Reaffirming its position, the Lagos APC said it would strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and guidelines issued by its national leadership in the selection of candidates.

The statement emphasised that consensus would be pursued where possible, but direct primaries would be conducted in situations where agreement could not be reached, stressing that this approach remains lawful and non-negotiable.

Ojelabi maintained that no amount of misinformation or political pressure would alter the party’s commitment to due process, transparency, and internal democracy.

He urged party members and the public to disregard what he described as false narratives being circulated by opportunistic groups, assuring that the will of registered party members would ultimately determine the emergence of candidates.

“The Lagos APC remains a disciplined and institution-driven political family founded on consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for democratic norms. The voice of duly registered party members remains supreme, and that voice shall find full expression through duly sanctioned democratic mechanisms.

“We, therefore, urge our members and the general public to disregard the antics of faceless groups and political opportunists whose stock-in-trade is false alarm and manufactured controversy.

“Let it be clearly understood that internal democracy will prevail, due process will be upheld, and the collective will of our members shall remain the ultimate determinant of candidate emergence.

“The voice of our members remains supreme, and that voice will be expressed through duly sanctioned democratic mechanisms,” the statement added