APC Agege Constituency I Primary Election Marred by Chaos, Aspirant Alleges Irregularities

APC Agege Constituency I Primary Election Marred by Chaos, Aspirant Alleges Irregularities

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election in Agege Constituency I, Lagos State, was on Tuesday thrown into confusion following reports of disruptions, alleged intimidation, and irregularities across several wards during the exercise.

One of the aspirants, Hon. Oladeebo Olaide Olaide Okadigbo, while addressing journalists after the exercise, alleged that the election failed to hold peacefully in most parts of the constituency, claiming that only two wards successfully conducted the primary before the process was disrupted in other areas.

According to Okadigbo, he emerged victorious in the two wards where voting was peacefully concluded, but alleged that the process was deliberately halted in other wards when it became clear that his supporters were gaining momentum.

He accused some party leaders and political actors of masterminding the disruption, alleging that electoral officials and party supporters were dispersed with gunshots, tear gas, and intimidation tactics.

“The election did not go as planned in many areas. In some wards, the process was disrupted because certain individuals realized their preferred candidate was losing. Only two wards completed the exercise successfully, and in those wards, we won convincingly,” he said.

The aspirant further alleged that many of his supporters were prevented from accessing voting centres, while hoodlums allegedly invaded some locations to create panic and confusion among delegates and party members.

“In some wards, our supporters were denied entry to vote. There were reports of money being distributed openly and armed men intimidating people. The atmosphere was not conducive for a free and fair primary election,” he alleged.

Okadigbo also claimed that there had been prior threats against his political structure and supporters before the election, alleging that some individuals had vowed to dismantle his campaign network.

“Before now, there were already threats that they would scatter our supporters and destabilize our structure. What happened during the primary appears to confirm those fears,” he added.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to intervene in the matter and ensure justice for all aspirants involved in the exercise.

The APC leadership in Lagos State is yet to officially react to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.