The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have to contend with more than internal political rivalries, succession battles and disagreements over party tickets as the 2027 general elections approach.
Beneath the party’s long-standing political dominance lies a growing socioeconomic question: how does a ruling party maintain the confidence of ordinary residents when the cost of living continues to put pressure on their ability to survive?
For a party that has controlled Lagos State since 1999, the challenge goes beyond managing ambitious politicians and reconciling competing power blocs. It also involves the daily realities of residents who must struggle to pay rent, feed their families, commute to work, sustain businesses and meet an assortment of financial obligations.
The APC’s internal disagreements may dominate political headlines, but the economic pressures confronting Lagos residents deserve equal attention. After all, political influence is one thing; the lived experience of the people is another.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the party’s record in government, its relationship with grassroots members and its response to the rising cost of living will remain important subjects of public scrutiny.
Internal Power Struggles and the Battle for Political Control
The APC’s political difficulties in Lagos cannot be understood solely through disagreements among prominent politicians. Beneath the visible rivalries are questions about who controls the party, who determines its candidates and how political influence is distributed.
Competing political interests, disagreements over nominations and the struggle to secure strategic positions can create tensions between elected officials, party leaders, aspiring candidates and grassroots organisers.
The contest over the party’s future leadership and the succession question ahead of 2027 add another layer of uncertainty. As politicians position themselves for future opportunities, competing ambitions can deepen existing divisions and make reconciliation more difficult.
There is also the enduring question of political godfatherism. Lagos politics has historically featured powerful political patrons whose influence extends across party structures and government institutions. Tensions can emerge when elected officials seek greater independence or when rival groups disagree over who should determine the party’s direction.
The real test for the APC is whether its internal processes can accommodate competing interests without repeatedly producing public disputes that undermine confidence among members.
The handling of party primaries remains another sensitive issue in Lagos APC politics. Whenever aspirants or their supporters allege irregularities, intimidation or the imposition of candidates, the resulting disagreements can expose deeper divisions within the party.
For grassroots members who spend time mobilising voters, attending meetings and defending the party during elections, disputes over nominations can raise questions about the value of their commitment.
If party members believe that political loyalty and grassroots work are not adequately recognised in candidate selection, resentment can develop even when the party appears united at public events.
The issue is not merely who receives a ticket. It is whether party members believe they have a fair opportunity to participate in the processes that determine the party’s political future.
For the APC, resolving such disagreements transparently will be important to maintaining internal cohesion as the next election cycle gathers momentum.
Perhaps one of the most significant issues confronting the Lagos APC is the economic hardship experienced by ordinary residents.
The cost of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity and other essential services places pressure on household budgets. For low-income earners, artisans, traders, young professionals and small-business owners, keeping up with these expenses can be a daily struggle.
And party members are not insulated from these realities.
Some grassroots supporters who participate in political mobilisation also have to contend with rising household expenses, unstable incomes and the difficulty of sustaining their families. Their political affiliation does not automatically guarantee economic security.
This raises an uncomfortable but important question for the ruling party: what does political loyalty mean to a supporter who is struggling to afford the basic necessities of life?
The APC cannot be held responsible for every economic difficulty experienced by every resident, but its long tenure in Lagos means its policies and performance are legitimate subjects of public assessment.
Residents are entitled to ask whether government decisions are improving their living conditions, whether economic opportunities are reaching ordinary people and whether the benefits of Lagos’s economic activity are sufficiently accessible to those at the bottom of the income ladder.
Political campaigns may promise development and prosperity, but the ultimate measure for many households is whether they can afford to live, work and raise their families in the state.
The growing difficulty of securing affordable accommodation presents another challenge that the APC government cannot afford to ignore.
For many workers and families, rent consumes a substantial portion of their income. In some cases, residents who can no longer comfortably afford accommodation in their preferred areas have to consider cheaper housing farther from their workplaces and commercial centres.
Communities and neighbouring towns such as Mowe, Ibafo, Ifo, Sango and Odogunyan have become important considerations for people seeking accommodation outside more expensive parts of Lagos and its immediate urban areas.
For some residents, relocating is a practical response to the pressure of rent. But the decision can bring additional challenges, including longer commutes, higher transportation expenses, fatigue and less time for family life.
A worker may secure cheaper accommodation outside central Lagos only to spend more time and money travelling to work. In such circumstances, the apparent savings on rent can be partly offset by transportation costs.
The concern is particularly relevant to low- and middle-income residents who need access to employment opportunities in Lagos but cannot comfortably meet the cost of living closer to their workplaces.
For the APC, this is more than a housing issue. It is a question of urban planning, transport policy, affordable housing supply and the quality of life available to ordinary residents.
The party must also recognise that grassroots supporters face the same economic pressures as other citizens. Where members are struggling to pay rent and maintain their households, political mobilisation cannot be treated as a substitute for addressing their everyday concerns.
The question Lagos residents deserve to ask is simple: can a state celebrated for its economic importance also make room for the workers, artisans, traders and families whose labour sustains its economy?
Another issue demanding attention is the burden of taxation, business levies, fees and other statutory charges faced by residents and businesses across Lagos.
Taxation is a legitimate means of funding public infrastructure and essential services. However, the cumulative cost of taxes and other charges can become difficult to bear when businesses are struggling with operating expenses and households are already under pressure from rising prices.
Traders, artisans, transport operators, self-employed workers and small-business owners are particularly sensitive to additional costs because these expenses can affect their earnings, prices and ability to remain in business.
For business owners, the concern is not only the amount paid in tax but also the clarity of the rules, the consistency of enforcement and whether different agencies impose overlapping demands. Where taxpayers encounter unclear obligations or multiple charges, frustration can grow.
The Lagos government therefore has a responsibility to ensure that legitimate revenue collection is transparent, predictable and fair. It must also communicate clearly about the taxes and levies that apply, the agencies authorised to collect them and the public services the revenue is intended to support.
The central accountability question is unavoidable: are Lagos residents and businesses receiving public services commensurate with the financial obligations imposed on them?
Roads, drainage, waste management, public transport, healthcare and other essential services are among the areas through which residents may assess the value they receive from government.
The debate should not be reduced to whether taxes are necessary. They are. The more important question is whether the system is fair, whether the burden is manageable and whether public revenue is being translated into visible benefits.
For a government led by the APC, public confidence depends not only on its ability to collect revenue but also on its ability to demonstrate responsible spending and meaningful results.
The relationship between the APC’s political structure and its grassroots membership deserves closer examination.
Political parties depend on ward leaders, volunteers, canvassers, community organisers and supporters who help build their presence at the local level. Yet the concerns of these members can become less visible when political attention shifts towards powerful figures, appointments and electoral calculations.
If ordinary members believe that the benefits of political participation are concentrated among a limited circle of influential individuals, dissatisfaction may emerge.
That possibility becomes more significant when members are simultaneously dealing with high rents, food prices, transport expenses and the cost of running small businesses.
The question is not whether every party member expects a personal financial reward. Rather, it is whether the party maintains a meaningful relationship with its supporters, listens to their concerns and remains responsive to the communities in which it seeks political support.
For the APC, strengthening that relationship requires more than rallies, slogans and promises. It requires credible internal processes, accountability and a demonstrated understanding of the economic difficulties facing ordinary people.
It would be simplistic to attribute every economic problem in Lagos to one party or one administration. Housing affordability, inflation, taxation and the cost of transportation are influenced by several factors, including national economic conditions, private-sector decisions, population growth and the structure of the wider economy.
Nevertheless, the APC’s long period in control of Lagos makes it reasonable to examine the performance of successive state administrations and the policies implemented under its leadership.
Political dominance brings not only influence but also responsibility. The longer a party governs, the more important it becomes to assess its record against the needs and expectations of the population.
The party’s internal political disputes are therefore only one part of a much wider conversation. The other part concerns whether Lagos is becoming more affordable, whether workers can live within a reasonable distance of their workplaces, whether small businesses can operate without excessive financial pressure and whether residents can see tangible benefits from public spending.
These are questions that deserve evidence-based answers rather than political slogans.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the APC faces a broader challenge than managing rival factions and deciding who occupies strategic positions.
Can it demonstrate that its years in power have delivered meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Lagos residents? Can it address concerns about affordable housing and the cost of transportation? Can it ensure that taxation and levies are administered fairly? And can it maintain the confidence of grassroots members who are themselves struggling with the cost of living?
These questions do not establish that economic hardship will automatically translate into a loss of political support. That would require credible evidence about public opinion and voting behaviour. They do, however, identify important areas of accountability for a party seeking to sustain public confidence.
Ultimately, the Lagos APC’s challenge is not simply to keep its political house in order. It is also to demonstrate that governance can make life more manageable for the people who live and work in the state.
For The Press Nigeria, the bigger story is this: beyond the political battles over power and succession, Lagos residents want answers about rent, food prices, transportation, taxation and the quality of public services. Those everyday realities deserve as much attention as the ambitions of the politicians seeking to govern them.
