A significant political upheaval is gripping the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as the ruling party faces intense scrutiny over the selection of candidates for the upcoming local government elections.

The reported imposition of Adebayo Adefuye as chairman and Babatunde Joseph Ojo as vice chairman has ignited a fierce backlash, with allegations of resident illegibility taking center stage.

Adebayo Adefuye, son of influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) member Baba Anthony Adefuye, is at the heart of the controversy, alongside Friday Soton, Special Assistant (Domestic) to the President, who is believed to have influenced Ojo’s nomination.

This move has reportedly sidelined popular grassroots contenders, sparking outrage among party loyalists and stakeholders.

A coalition of concerned party members has issued a strongly worded statement, condemning the selection as “undemocratic” and a “betrayal of grassroots values.” The group categorically rejected what they termed an “unacceptable imposition” of candidates perceived to lack genuine community ties.

“We categorically reject this imposition and declare our unwavering resistance to it,” the coalition stated. “Yaba LCDA is not a political dumping ground. We will not allow the hard-won peace and democratic process of our community to be jeopardized by personal interests and political godfatherism.”

Adding fuel to the fire, the coalition has accused Baba Adefuye of hypocrisy, drawing parallels to his alleged role in blocking Hon. Ibrahim Ajani Owolabi’s candidacy in Somolu LG in 2019 over residency concerns. Critics highlight the irony in his current support for his son, Adebayo Adefuye, who, according to the group, holds no significant ties to Yaba.

Serious questions have been raised regarding Adebayo Adefuye’s residency and overall eligibility for the chairmanship. Critics point to his recent reappointment to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) and a perceived lack of visible community engagement within Yaba.

The coalition claims his only known connection to the area is occasional attendance at a church in Abule Ijesa Ward I, further fueling doubts about his local roots.

The disgruntled group has called for swift intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging them to halt the current process and restore internal party democracy.

“Yaba LCDA deserves competent and locally rooted leadership—not candidates imposed through the back door by GAC chieftains,” the statement emphasized. “We shall not be silenced. We shall not be intimidated.”