The All Progressives Congress (APC), once heralded as the emblem of progressive politics in Nigeria, is currently in the throes of a dangerous internal crisis — one that threatens not just its future at the national level, but its credibility and grip on Lagos State, the party’s historical stronghold. At the center of this conflict is the growing betrayal by the Justice Forum Faction, which has allegedly infiltrated and undermined the Mandate Faction, the loyal bloc aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This betrayal came to a head during the recent Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) primary elections in Lagos State, where irregularities, imposition of unpopular candidates, and factional interference marred the process. According to multiple insiders, the Justice Forum faction actively manipulated delegate lists, staged parallel candidate endorsements, and used its influence within the party machinery to hijack the democratic process to the detriment of grassroots party members and the Mandate bloc.
The result was a chaotic and controversial primary process that left many APC loyalists in Lagos disenfranchised and disillusioned. Protests broke out in several councils, with aggrieved aspirants and their supporters decrying the lack of transparency and fairness. What should have been a unifying political exercise became a flashpoint of betrayal, triggering internal distrust and public backlash.
This breach has done more than fracture intra-party relations — it has damaged public trust in the APC’s governance structure, especially in Lagos State, where Tinubu’s legacy was once seen as unshakeable. The optics of betrayal and manipulation have led many citizens to question whether the APC can still deliver credible leadership and uphold democratic values. Civil society groups and youth coalitions have also begun organizing to challenge APC’s dominance at the local level, citing widespread disenchantment.
Political analysts believe that this development is more than just a local skirmish — it is a reflection of a deeper power struggle ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Justice Forum’s strategic moves suggest ambitions that extend beyond local councils. By undermining Tinubu’s faction and asserting control in Lagos, they are positioning themselves for influence over presidential permutations even if it means tearing the party apart.
The APC now faces a crossroads: either act decisively to rein in factional excesses and rebuild public trust, or risk losing both the unity of the party and the confidence of its base. If left unchecked, this internal sabotage could lead to a repeat of the political collapse that befell the PDP in 2015 but this time, it may be even more devastating given the stakes.
For President Tinubu and the Mandate bloc, the message is clear: the house is on fire, and the enemy is within. Whether the APC survives the storm depends on how swiftly and decisively it addresses the betrayal from within and whether it can restore faith among the people it claims to represent.
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