Delegates of the All Progressives Congress from Lagos State were on Friday reportedly stranded at airports and motor parks across the state amid an alleged delay in the release of mobilisation funds ahead of the party’s national convention in Abuja.
Findings indicated that several delegates were unable to travel for the high-stakes convention scheduled to hold this weekend at the Eagle Square, where new members of the party’s National Executive Committee are expected to emerge.
Multiple party sources said that affected delegates were seen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and major motor parks, struggling to secure transportation to the Federal Capital Territory.
The development has been linked to what some party insiders described as a failure by the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promptly release funds traditionally used to coordinate the movement of delegates.
A party member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as “embarrassing and avoidable,” noting that mobilisation of delegates for national conventions is usually handled by the state leadership.
“As we speak, many delegates are stranded because arrangements were made too late. Some missed their flights, while others cannot afford the high cost of last-minute tickets,” the source said.
It was further gathered that the late preparations triggered a spike in airfares, compounding the difficulties faced by delegates who had not secured prior bookings.
The convention is considered a critical gathering for the ruling party as it is expected to shape its internal power structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political observers projecting a significant role for former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Comparisons have already been drawn with the party’s 2022 convention, during which Lagos State reportedly recorded a high level of coordination and turnout, attributed to early and extensive mobilisation efforts.
Party stakeholders expressed concern that the current situation could signal cracks within the Lagos chapter of the APC, raising questions about cohesion and preparedness.
In contrast, sources said delegates from states such as Kano, Rivers and Imo had already begun arriving in Abuja in large numbers, following what was described as effective mobilisation by their respective state structures.
Meanwhile, some influential figures and interest groups were said to have stepped in to provide logistical support for delegates already in Abuja.
Despite the challenges, party loyalists maintained that the convention would proceed as scheduled, expressing confidence in the unity of the party and its leadership.
Efforts to get an official response from the Lagos State Government and APC leadership in the state were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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