Some political leaders, traditional and religious leaders, as well as youth groups in Alimosho Federal Constituency have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over an alleged attempt to overturn the All Progressive Congress House of Representatives primary election result in the area.
Speaking at a news briefing held at Egbeda municipal of the Local Government, the group under the aegis of Candidate APC Grassroots Movement CAGRAM, expressed displeasure over what it described as injustice and miscarriage of victory in the just concluded party primaries.
Presenting the group’s grievances, renowned politician in Alimosho, Comrade Kolawole Okedara alleged the state party leaders were planning to topple the primaries which saw member, House of Representatives, Mr. Ganiyu Ayuba.emerging candidate for the House of Representatives in the forthcoming elections.
He said “Hon. Adebisi Abisco the preferred candidate of Pastor Ojelabi and his collaborators did not participate in the Presidential Primary anywhere in Alimosho, same for the House of Assembly. This speaks volumes. Stakeholders and members of APC in Alimosho are not surprised. We know ourselves both Organic and Transactional member and antecedents of each group.”
Comrade Okedara Kolawole, who alleged that the APC leaders in Lagos are on the verge of imposing a candidate ,warned that reversing the primary outcome threatens internal democracy and risks deep disaffection among grassroots members.
“On Gender balance while we identify strongly with it we submit that such balancing must neither be with Electoral liability nor at the detriment of electoral asset. A former two-term female Executive Council Chairman who couldn’t win her polling unit perpetually while in office can’t do so outside office. There exists so many other opportunities for gender inclusion but not at the risk of Party’s success at the polls. Meanwhile does not sound contradictory that those clamoring for gender inclusion are also the one behind the purported removal of a one-term Hon. Kafilat Ogbara MHR from Kosofe. Retaining Hon. Ogbara for second term looks more justified for gender balance.” he added
Contributing, the Onikotun of Ikotun, His Royal Majesty, Oba Azeez Gbadabiu-Isola told members of the party to exercise patience and work in harmony for the progress o Alimomsho
They are appealing for President Tinubu’s urgent intervention to preserve peace and party unity in Lagos, the insisteing that upholding Ayuba’s mandate would reaffirm the APC’s commitment to internal democracy
Also at the brieft were other party leaders, traditional and leaders, as well as the women groups.
Member, House of Representatives, representing Alimosho constituency, Mr. Ganiyu Ayuba, who was invited to the media chat however called for calm, as the stakeholders involved await the decision of the party
The APC primary election for Alimosho Federal Constituency was concluded with collation exercise, held at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat, where the returning Officer, Barr. Sunny Adeeko announced Mr. Ganiyu Ayuba as the duly elected having garnered a total of 37,021 votes, securing a wide margin of victory over other aspirants in the contest.
His closest rival, according to the returning officer was Princess Olabisi Adebajo who polled 2,793 votes.
Reporting By Olusegun Hastrup