The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election at Ward 1, Oja Market, in Isolo/Oshodi Constituency I, was disrupted after a fight broke out among supporters at the venue.
The major contenders at the ward were Mayowa Alakija and Ogundipe Olukayode who is seeking a re-election into the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Crisis started when some members of the party started chanting “No election” at the venue.
One of the party members, while addressing other members, alleged that the APC and INEC officials sent to conduct and monitor the primary were unable to show their means of identification.
A senior police officer on ground was also addressing members to conduct themselves peacefully when some thugs invaded the venue and attacked people.
The situation immediately escalated into a free-for-all, as members were chased out by security forces using teargas to avert a full-blown crisis.
Meanwhile, some agents of aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Somolu Constituency II have criticised the exercise over alleged lack of fairness and transparency.
The agents expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the exercise.
Mr Afeez Onaolapo, agent to Mr Moruf Ali-Balogun, accused party leaders of undermining internal democracy through predetermined decisions and alleged imposition of candidates.
Onaolapo, Youth Leader of Ward D in Bariga Local Council Development Area, said the wishes of party members and the electorate should be respected.
According to him, in spite of participating in the primary election, party leaders might still impose another candidate as the eventual flag bearer.
“We only exercised our franchise, but the party leadership will still decide the eventual candidate.
“This is not true democracy, it is imposition, and we are not happy with such a development,” Onaolapo said.
Mr Adewale Olusoga, agent to another aspirant, Mr Adetunji Atunrase, also questioned the credibility of the primary election process.
Olusoga alleged that the final outcome would eventually be decided through consensus arrangements rather than votes cast during the exercise.
“We are only participating in the voting process, but the APC leaders will still decide the candidate.
“The primary election is only being conducted to fulfil constitutional requirements and party guidelines,” Olusoga said.
Mr Tawab Adejunwon, agent to Mr Olufemi Apata, representing Somolu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, complained about delays at voting centres.
Adejunwon, a former Publicity Secretary of Ward G in Somolu Federal Constituency, however, described the election process as peaceful and orderly.
“I am not pleased with the delay at the voting centres. INEC officials should respect people’s time and arrive promptly,” Adejunwon said.
He nevertheless maintained that the party’s decision remained supreme and should be respected by all members.
Mr Tunde Adekanbi, APC Youth Leader in Ward C, also expressed displeasure over the conduct of the primary election exercise.
Adekanbi condemned alleged intimidation and imposition of candidates by some leaders within the party structure.
He stated: “I am not pleased with the act of imposition and intimidation.
“The party leaders know what they are doing and already know whom they want to choose as the candidate.
“The primary election is only being conducted to fulfil constitutional requirements.”
Also, APC primary election for Badagry Constituencies I and II in the Lagos State House of Assembly has been suspended.
Mr Gafar Meyon, the Chairman of APC in Badagry Local Government, disclosed this on Wednesday.
According to him, after waiting several hours for the materials and APC staff who never arrived, directives came from the party’s state Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to suspend the exercise.
“During Saturday’s primary, there were complaints that some election officials were friends of one of the aspirants.
“Then it was suggested that they should change them against today’s primary.
“So, those staff were sent to Suru-lere to conduct the election while those in Suru-lere were expected to come and conduct primary in Badagry.
“After waiting for several hours, we contacted the Lagos APC Chairman to brief him on the situation. He then ordered that the election be suspended until a later date.
“We have informed the aspirants to tell their supporters to leave all the wards till further notice,” he said.
