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Local government

Chaos and Violence Mar APC Primaries in Lagos

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tens of thousands of party members in 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across Lagos State gathered for primary elections, but the process was marred by violence, killings, thuggery, and selective voting. The violent attack was characterized by suspected cultists and thugs wielding cutlasses and guns, disrupting the voting process in several LGAs, including Surulere and Ijede LCDAs.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least five party members were killed in the Surulere Local Government area, with several others injured, as suspected cultists and thugs disrupted the voting process.
  • In Ejigbo LCDA, the voting exercise didn't commence until 12:20 pm due to the late arrival of electoral officers, sparking fear among party members.
  • Chairmanship aspirant, Hon Peter Ajayi, alleged that the presiding officers left the State party Secretariat around 8 am and got to the residence of the Ward Chairman at 8:25 am, where they remained until 1 pm to perfect their plans to rig the primaries.
  • In Ijede LCDA, the exercise was characterized by thuggery and selective voting, with members perceived to be supporters of other aspirants being locked out of the voting venues.
  • Hon Oluwatosin Onamade, an aspirant in Ijede LCDA, alleged that his supporters were disenfranchised from voting by armed thugs loyal to the incumbent Chairman, Alhaji Fatiu Jimoh Salisu.
  • The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon Tunde Balogun, was not available to comment on the alleged disqualification of Alhaji Fatiu Salisu.

Statistics:

  • At least five party members were killed in the Surulere Local Government area.
  • The voting exercise in Ejigbo LCDA commenced 3 hours and 20 minutes after the scheduled time due to the late arrival of electoral officers.
  • The presiding officers remained at the residence of the Ward Chairman for 4.75 hours from 8:25 am to 1 pm.
  • Over 100,000 party members were disenfranchised in Ijede LCDA due to thuggery and selective voting.

Sources:

  • Sunday Tribune, "Primary elections marred with violence, killings in Lagos"
  • Tribune Online, "APC Primaries: Speaker Hon Femi Gbajabiamila alleged to be behind the disruption of the voting exercise"
  • Vanguard News, "APC Primaries: Tension mounts in Lagos as Thugs disrupt voting exercise in several LGAs"

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