Alleged irregularities, violence mar APC primaries in Lagos

The All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives primary election conducted across the 245 wards in Lagos State on Saturday was marred by allegations of irregularities, voter intimidation and disruptions in several polling centres.

Incidents of tension and disorder were reported in parts of Lagos Mainland, including Apapa Road, Makoko, Iwaya and Adekunle, where some party members and delegates were allegedly prevented from participating freely in the exercise.

A party member, Kayode Olaiya, accused supporters of one of the aspirants, Hon. Kazeem Omolaja, of disrupting the voting process by allegedly forcing out delegates believed to be loyal to another aspirant, Hon. Abdulhakeem Animashaun, from polling centres in the affected areas.

The incidents reportedly created confusion among party members, with some aggrieved loyalists accusing certain APC leaders of attempting to influence the outcome of the primary election in favour of a preferred candidate.

Supporters of Animashaun also alleged that loyalists of the local government chairman, Hon. Emilagba, compromised the integrity of the process through alleged electoral misconduct.

They further claimed that official APC membership cards were not used during accreditation and voting, raising concerns over the credibility and transparency of the exercise.

Reacting after the primary, Olaiya rejected the outcome of the election, insisting that the process did not meet acceptable democratic standards.

“We reject whatever outcome emerges from today’s election because the process was flawed and manipulated,” one of the protesters said.

The aggrieved members called on the APC leadership to investigate the allegations and ensure fairness for all aspirants and supporters involved in the exercise.

Security personnel were reportedly deployed to some of the affected centres to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Lagos Mainland had yet to issue an official response to the allegations surrounding the exercise.

The development has, however, raised fresh concerns among party members over the credibility of the APC’s internal electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, in Somolu, apex leaders of the APC reaffirmed their support for the party’s decisions regarding the House of Representatives primary election.

One of the leaders, Ajibade Ajayi, disclosed that the party had resolved to back Mr. Kolade Alabi as the consensus candidate for the Somolu Federal Constituency seat.

He urged aspirants and party members to respect party supremacy and remain committed to the APC ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Ajayi explained that several meetings had earlier been held with aspirants in an effort to encourage withdrawals and promote unity within the party, but the consultations did not produce the expected outcome.

“Therefore, the primary election became necessary in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.

“At the end of the process, it will be clear whom the people want to represent them.

“However, party supremacy will prevail in the final decision,” he said.

Also speaking, APC state officer and apex leader in Somolu, Yomi Olubamide, expressed satisfaction with the turnout recorded during the primary election.

“I am impressed with the massive turnout of members who came out to exercise their franchise,” he said.

Olubamide called on party members to support whoever eventually emerges as the APC candidate for Somolu Federal Constituency during the general election.

Another apex leader, Primate Abraham, criticised the late arrival of officials assigned to supervise the exercise.

“As at 11:25 a.m., officials expected to supervise the exercise had yet to arrive at the polling units.

“This delay should not be encouraged, considering that voters had been at the polling units since about 8:30 a.m.,” he said.

Similarly, APC apex leader in Somolu, Samuel Oluyida, urged members to respect the party’s zoning and rotational arrangement.

According to him, the House of Representatives seat rotates between Somolu and Bariga, noting that Somolu currently occupies the position, while it is now the turn of Bariga to produce the candidate.

“For this reason, the party has settled for Mr. Kolade Alabi from Bariga as the consensus candidate.

“The primary election is being conducted to fulfil due process, but the party has already taken a position and we shall abide by the party’s decision,” he said.