APC primaries in Lagos marred by alleged irregularities and violence

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its House of Representatives primary election across all 245 wards in Lagos State on Saturday, but the process was disrupted by reports of irregularities, voter intimidation and disorder at several polling stations.

In parts of Lagos Mainland—including Apapa Road, Makoko, Iwaya and Adekunle—tension and chaos were reported. Some party members and delegates were allegedly barred from freely participating in the exercise.

Kayode Olaiya, a party member, accused supporters of candidate Hon. Kazeem Omolaja of disrupting the voting by forcing out delegates who were believed to back another aspirant, Hon. Abdulhakeem Animashaun, from the affected polling centres.

The incidents caused confusion among party members, with some aggrieved loyalists claiming that certain APC leaders were attempting to sway the primary in favour of a preferred candidate.

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

They further contended that official APC membership cards were not used during accreditation and voting, raising doubts about the exercise’s credibility and transparency.

After the primary, Olaiya rejected the outcome, 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.

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

At the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Lagos Mainland had not yet issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the exercise.

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

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

Ajibade Ajayi, one of the leaders, 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 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.