Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has commended the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, describing the exercise as peaceful, credible and orderly.
Gbajabiamila made the remarks on Wednesday after participating in the primary election at Ward G2, Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5, located within the Alaka Housing Estate in Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking on the conduct of the primary election, the CoS to President Bola Tinubu said he was impressed by the level of organisation and the conduct of party members during the exercise.
He also noted that participation was impressive despite the exercise being a party primary, adding that reports from other wards suggested the exercise was peaceful across the constituency.
“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as I have been in politics,” he said.
“And anytime I come to vote, whatever office or election it is, my reaction is always the same. When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy. And that is exactly what I have seen today.”
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“The turnout, considering that we are talking about primaries here, has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly. The election has been free and transparent, and I am happy to see that,” Gbajabiamila added.
However, the exercise took a dramatic turn after Lagos lawmaker and actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, announced his withdrawal from the contest, alleging intimidation and denial of access to the venue for his supporters.
Elliot made the announcement at the Paddington Mini Stadium on Western Avenue, where the primary was being held.
“And of course, in all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside,” he said.
The lawmaker further alleged that repeated appeals to electoral officials to allow his supporters into the venue were ignored.
“They’ve not been allowed,” Elliot stated shortly before stepping down from the race.
Following his withdrawal, supporters of the lawmaker staged a peaceful protest and exited the venue alongside him.
Despite the controversy, Chairman of the Leaders Forum in Ward G2, Mr. Ekundayo Decker, described the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy within the APC.
“Well, this is a pure democratic process. We have seen that the numbers are more and the voting went fine. There was no fight, there was nothing, no problem, nothing,” he said.
He urged all aspirants and their supporters to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.
“It is a game of sports. Any side that wins is good. The other side should please embrace the winner,” he added.
The Surulere Constituency I had attracted attention following weeks of reported tension between Gbajabiamila and Elliot.
Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly, was contesting against Mrs Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a female aspirant reportedly backed by party leaders and Gbajabiamila.
