LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled two former local government chairmen, Ganiu Ogunbi and Hazis Yusuf, following allegations of anti-party activities.
The duo reportedly emerged as candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections.
Speaking on The Conversation, legal expert and political affairs analyst Bosun Osifowora, alongside social commentator Nelson Ekujumi, examined the legal and political implications of the expulsions, as well as broader issues surrounding party discipline and internal democracy.
What constitutes anti-party activity?
Osifowora explained that every registered political party operates under its own constitution, which guides the conduct of its members.
He described anti-party activity as actions that contravene a party’s constitution or constituted authority, including maintaining membership of two political parties or supporting candidates of rival parties.
Osifowora also noted that a party may formally expel or publicly disassociate itself from a former member even after the individual has announced their resignation, particularly to clarify that the person no longer represents the party.
On judicial intervention in party affairs, he said courts generally treat internal party matters as matters for the parties themselves, but may intervene where a party violates its own constitution or fails to follow due process and fair-hearing requirements.
Party supremacy and internal democracy
Ekujumi said disagreements within political parties often arise after contentious primary elections, stressing that aggrieved members have internal mechanisms for resolving such disputes.
He noted that members who are dissatisfied with primary outcomes are expected to explore available party appeal processes or seek judicial redress where appropriate, rather than simply defecting to another party to contest elections.
According to him, the principle of party supremacy remains central to party organisation, although personal political ambitions can sometimes take precedence over party ideology.
Protecting the voter
Ekujumi also addressed concerns about disputed primaries and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He referenced past court cases, including Rotimi Amaechi v. PDP, as examples of judicial intervention in disputes involving party nominations and electoral procedures.
He stressed the importance of voters having access to accurate information, describing informed participation as an important part of protecting electoral mandates.
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