APC primaries: all against all, the party suspends exercises in Badagry

The primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 1, Oja Market, Isolo/Oshodi Constituency I, have been disrupted after a fight broke out among supporters at the spot.

The main contenders in the ward were Mayowa Alakija and Ogundipe Olukayode who is seeking re-election in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The crisis began when some party members started shouting “No election” on the spot.

One of the party members, addressing other members, said APC and INEC officials sent to conduct and monitor the primaries were unable to show their means of identification.

A senior police officer at the venue was also urging members to behave peacefully when some hoodlums invaded the venue and attacked people.

The situation immediately descended into total chaos, as members were chased away by security forces who used tear gas to avert a full-blown crisis.

Meanwhile, some agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election aspirants for Somolu II constituency have criticized the exercise for alleged lack of fairness and transparency.

The officers expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the exercise.

Afeez Onaolapo, Moruf Ali-Balogun’s agent, accused party leaders of undermining internal democracy through pre-determined decisions and alleged imposition of candidates.

Onaolapo, youth leader of Ward D of Bariga Municipality Development Area, said the wishes of party members and the electorate must be respected.

According to him, despite participating in the primary elections, the party leaders could still impose another candidate as the possible standard-bearer.

“We have only exercised our right to vote, but the party leadership will still decide on the possible candidate.

“This is not true democracy, it is imposition, and we are not happy with such a development,” Onaolapo said.

Adewale Olusoga, agent of another aspirant, Adetunji Atunrase, also questioned the credibility of the primary election process.

Olusoga said the final outcome will ultimately be decided through consensus agreements rather than votes cast during the exercise.

“We are only participating in the voting process but the APC leaders will still decide the candidate.

“Primary elections are conducted only to meet constitutional requirements and party guidelines,” Olusoga said.

Tawab Adejunwon, the agent of Olufemi Apata, representing Somolu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has lamented delays at polling stations.

Adejunwon, former District G Publicity Secretary in Somolu Federal Constituency, however described the electoral process as peaceful and orderly.

“I am not satisfied with the delay in polling stations. INEC officials should respect people’s time and arrive promptly,” Adejunwon said.

He, however, maintains that the party’s decision remains supreme and must be respected by all members.

Mr Tunde Adekanbi, APC youth leader in District C, also expressed disappointment over the conduct of the primary elections.

Adekanbi condemned the alleged intimidation and coercion of candidates by some leaders within the party structure.

He said: “I am not satisfied with the act of imposition and intimidation.

“The party leaders know what they are doing and they already know who they want to choose as a candidate.

“Primary elections are conducted only to satisfy constitutional requirements.”

Also, the APC primary elections for Badagry Constituencies I and II in the Lagos State House of Assembly have been suspended.
Badagry Local Government APC Chairman Gafar Meyon disclosed this on Wednesday.
According to him, after waiting for several hours for APC materials and personnel who never arrived, the state chairman of the party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, ordered the exercise to be suspended.
“During Saturday’s primaries there were complaints that some election officials were friends with one of the aspirants.
“Then it was suggested to change them compared to today’s primaries.
“Thus, personnel were sent to Suru-lere to conduct the elections while those from Suru-lere were supposed to come and conduct the primaries in Badagry.
“After waiting for several hours, we contacted the Lagos APC Chairman to inform him of the situation and he then ordered the suspension of the elections until further notice.
“We have informed the aspirants to tell their supporters to vacate all wards until further notice,” he said.