By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Ikosi-Isheri Focus TV, a media platform owned by the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has accused the lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, of failing to adhere to established seating arrangements at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos East Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting.
The allegation emerged late Friday night, following widespread public reactions to a video and accompanying commentary circulating online. The footage captured an incident many observers described as humiliating to the federal lawmaker during the meeting.
According to Ikosi-Isheri Focus TV, Hon. Ogbara reportedly occupied a front-row seat reserved for members of the party’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and was later asked to vacate the seat and move to the back. The episode quickly ignited debate across political and social circles, with sharply divided opinions.
In a statement accompanying its report, the platform invoked Yoruba cultural norms, arguing that respect for elders and adherence to protocol require attendees to wait for organisers to direct them to their seats, rather than assuming prominence at public events.
However, political observers have offered a contrasting perspective, insisting that any guest, particularly an elected federal lawmaker, invited to a high-level party meeting should be accorded appropriate seating without public embarrassment. Some commentators, speaking tongue-in-cheek, even suggested that where arrangements are unclear, attendees might consider arriving with personal seating options, such as foldable chairs, to avoid public discomfort.
The incident has continued to stir reactions within the APC and beyond, reopening broader conversations about internal party hierarchy, respect for public office, protocol management at political gatherings, and the responsibility of organisers to prevent avoidable controversies.