Concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State have called on the national and state leadership of the party to urgently intervene in the lingering political crisis within the local chapter and restore Stephen Olukayode Ogundipe (OMOJ’OMOLO) as the party’s authentic candidate for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I.

Speaking on behalf of the Concerned Stakeholders Forum and The Mandate Movement (TMM), Alhaji Kehinde Olorunoje made the call at the APC Oshodi-Isolo Stakeholders Forum in Lagos on Saturday.

It would be recalled that the APC state secretariat had declared the immediate past Education Secretary of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Mr Mayowa Alakija, the winner of the primary election for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I.

Reacting, the stakeholders expressed concern over what they described as the continued disregard for the outcome of the APC primary election, warning that the situation could undermine party unity and electoral strength in one of Lagos State’s key APC strongholds.

The stakeholders argued that Ogundipe, a ranking member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Information Strategy and Security, remained the most qualified and electable candidate for the constituency.

They cited his legislative experience, grassroots support and loyalty to the APC as reasons his mandate should be respected.

According to the group, denying recognition to a candidate they believe emerged victorious in the primary election sends the wrong signal to party members who have remained loyal to the APC over the years.

The statement also raised concerns about the actions of the Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Otunba Kehinde Oloyede-Almaroof.

The stakeholders alleged manipulation of party structures, imposition of officials, arbitrary removal of party executives and suspension of some party elders, claiming that the actions had contributed to growing tension within the party.

Among the specific grievances highlighted were the alleged substitution of Ogundipe’s name after the primary election, alterations to the list of Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) and Supervisory Councillors, and the removal of party officials without due process.

The group also questioned the credibility of ongoing reconciliation efforts, insisting that any peace process must be led by neutral and impartial individuals who were not directly involved in the dispute.

To resolve the crisis, the stakeholders demanded the immediate restoration of Ogundipe’s mandate, an independent investigation into the disputed primary election, the establishment of a neutral reconciliation committee and a review of all actions alleged to be inconsistent with the APC Constitution.

They also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, APC Lagos State Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and other party leaders to intervene and prevent further division within the party.

The stakeholders maintained that their campaign was not targeted at any individual but was aimed at protecting internal democracy, rewarding loyalty and preserving unity within the APC.

“History has shown that injustice breeds bitterness, while justice builds unity. The time to act is now,” the statement concluded.

An APC member, Mrs Josephine Okpara, told newsmen that the gathering was organised to demand the restoration of Ogundipe’s mandate as the APC candidate for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I.

She said, “We, the APC faithful in Oshodi-Isolo, are saying no to Ogundipe not coming back for a second term. We want him back because he has been good to everybody.

“We are begging. You can see the number of people who are here. They have come to express their grievances to our party leaders. We are begging.

“The men are begging, the women are begging, the children are begging that we want him back. Only he can do it because he is our mandate.”