Supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant Gbenga Abiola, widely known as Agbelebu, have rejected results circulating online from the primary election for Agege Constituency I. The group, operating under the Agbelebu Solidarity Forum, alleged that no valid election took place and accused unidentified individuals of intimidation and harassment during the process.
Allegations of Invalid Election
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, the forum's Director-General, Dr Jamiu Ademosu, declared that no legitimate election was conducted across the five designated primary locations within the constituency. He asserted that party members experienced intimidation and harassment at various sites where the primaries were expected to occur, which disrupted the process and undermined member participation.
“We wish to categorically state that no valid election was conducted across the five designated and approved primary election locations within Agege Constituency 01,” Ademosu said. He added that Abiola's supporters remained peaceful despite the reported tensions.
Questions Over Authenticity of Results
The forum also questioned the authenticity of the results being circulated, noting that none of Abiola's accredited agents signed or endorsed them. Ademosu urged the APC leadership to make an official announcement and called on party members and residents to remain calm and law-abiding. He further demanded that those behind the reported results provide evidence of where and when voting and result declarations allegedly occurred.
Abiola, a former vice chairman and sole administrator of Agege Local Government Area, is contesting the APC ticket against former council chairman Abdulganiyu Egunjobi, under whom he previously served. Both aspirants are considered political associates of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who recently secured the APC House of Representatives ticket for Agege Federal Constituency.
The APC has not officially responded to the allegations at the time of this report. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that Abiola's candidacy has generated notable grassroots support within parts of Agege ahead of the primary process.
In a related development, a support group loyal to Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant Gbolahan Bago-Stowe has accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of attempting to influence the outcome of the APC direct primary election for Somolu Constituency I in favor of incumbent lawmaker Abiodun Orekoya. The allegations were made by the Gbolahan Bago-Stowe Support Group during a briefing at Ward D, Oke Meta Primary School in Bajulaiye, Somolu, on Wednesday. The group's spokesperson, Rasak Raji, claimed disputes emerged in four wards after supporters raised concerns over the conduct of the exercise.
