Lagos APC leaders back Egunjobi’s victory in Agege
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege and Orile-Agege areas of Lagos State have reaffirmed the emergence of former Agege Local Government Chairman, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, as winner of the party’s House of Assembly primary for Agege Constituency I.
The party leaders also confirmed Azeez Oladapo Ninalowo as winner of the APC primary for Agege Constituency II.
Egunjobi was declared winner of the primary election conducted across the five wards of Agege Constituency I on Wednesday under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to party sources, the former council chairman polled 9,132 votes to defeat other contenders, while former Vice-Chairman of Agege Local Government, Gbenga Michael Abiola, finished a distant third.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Adisa Safari Adaranijo, commended party members and aspirants for maintaining peace throughout the ongoing primaries.
The meeting, attended by traditional rulers, Baales, community leaders, traders and artisans’ representatives, reviewed the outcome of the party primaries in the area.
Adaranijo, however, faulted claims circulating in some quarters that Abiola won the Agege Constituency I ticket, describing the reports as false and misleading.
“As you can see, we just concluded our meeting to assess the outcome of the primaries conducted so far, and we thank God that the exercises have been peaceful and successful.
“We are, however, disturbed by rumours and misinformation being spread in some quarters suggesting that Abiola won the Agege Constituency I primary. The election was conducted openly in the presence of INEC officials and electoral officers, and Egunjobi won convincingly,”
he said.
The APC chieftain further alleged that Abiola had distanced himself from party activities after his ambition to succeed Egunjobi as council chairman failed.
“How can someone who has stayed away from party activities and shown little commitment to party members suddenly claim victory in the primary? APC is a disciplined and formidable party that does not reward political truancy,” Adaranijo said.
He also noted that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, played a significant role in Abiola’s political rise.
“If not for the benevolence of Obasa, Abiola would not have attained the political positions he occupied. It is unfortunate that he is now turning against those who supported him,” he added.
Traditional leaders present at the meeting, including the Baale of Onipetesi/Ajakaye, Chief Yekini Ajakaye; the Baale of Dopemu, Chief Shuaib Ajani Afogunlowo; and the Chief Imam of the area, Sheikh Abdulgafar Sulaiman Elediye, reportedly echoed similar sentiments.
Speaking separately on the sidelines of the APC governorship primary held Thursday at the Agege Stadium, Speaker Obasa blamed alleged dissidents within the party for the controversy surrounding the primary outcome.
“When you are a member of a party, you should participate actively in its affairs. You cannot stay away from all party activities and still claim to belong.
“We have conducted primaries for the House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly and governorship positions, yet some disgruntled individuals stayed away throughout. Clearly, they are no longer part of us,”Obasa said
