Controversial APC Primaries in Somolu and Bariga Spark Outrage..... Stakeholders Demand Immediate Cancellation

Controversial APC Primaries in Somolu and Bariga Spark Outrage..... Stakeholders Demand Immediate Cancellation

Lagos, Nigeria – May 11, 2025 — A wave of dissatisfaction is sweeping through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Somolu and Bariga Local Council Development Areas, as party stakeholders and concerned members have condemned the recent chairmanship primaries, describing the process as a “sham election” that must be nullified without delay.

In a strongly worded petition addressed to the APC leadership at both state and national levels, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party's National Working Committee (NWC), the stakeholders denounced the primaries held at the APC State Secretariat on ACME Road, Ogba, as a "political charade laced with fraud, manipulation, and shameful imposition."

The group called for an urgent investigation and total cancellation of the primary elections in Somolu and Bariga, citing a litany of electoral malpractices and procedural violations.

Allegations of Over-Voting and Statistical Irregularities

One of the most glaring anomalies highlighted in the petition is the over-voting recorded during the process. According to party insiders, only 22 delegates were accredited, yet one candidate allegedly emerged with 24 votes.

“This statistical fraud alone invalidates the outcome,” the petition reads. “It clearly points to ballot stuffing and electoral manipulation.”

Unlawful Committee Infiltration and Lack of Transparency

The presence of Oris Sulaimon—a known supporter of one of the candidates (Bukola Omofe Adedeji)—as part of the electoral process was described as suspicious and unlawful. Stakeholders argue that his name was not on the official electoral committee list, raising concerns about bias and a compromised process.

In addition, the vote-counting phase reportedly took place behind closed doors, with agents and observers barred from witnessing the process. Delegates were allegedly asked to leave the premises immediately after voting, while ballot boxes were only brought out after their exit—an act the petitioners described as "a deliberate ploy to manipulate the results."

False Narratives and Intimidation Tactics

The petition also condemned the use of misleading claims by some leaders who allegedly told delegates that the President had endorsed certain candidates and that dissent would be disloyal. The stakeholders dismissed these assertions as deceptive, noting that President Tinubu, known for his commitment to democratic principles, would not support any form of imposition.

Faleke Accused of Political Overreach

Hon. James Faleke, a federal lawmaker, was also called out in the petition for what the group described as undue interference in Lagos local politics. The stakeholders accused him of attempting to install his loyalists in Bariga and Somolu, warning that his actions could destabilize the party.

“We reject Faleke’s meddling in our local affairs. He should focus on his constituency and allow Lagos APC leaders to maintain internal peace and fairness,” the petitioners stated.

Stakeholders’ Demands

In response to the alleged irregularities, the concerned APC stakeholders made the following demands:

1. Immediate cancellation of the APC chairmanship primaries in Somolu and Bariga.
2. A public apology and explanation from the Lagos State Electoral Committee over the electoral misconduct.
3. Sanctions against individuals who orchestrated and executed the compromised process.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their support for Hon. Babatunde Adesida as the legitimate chairmanship candidate for Bariga LCDA, noting that he was the popular choice of the grassroots and political leadership before the process was allegedly hijacked.

“We are loyal members of the APC, but loyalty does not mean silence in the face of injustice. This is a plea to rescue our party from internal decay. If this injustice is not addressed, the APC risks backlash at the grassroots level ahead of the 2025 Local Government elections,” the group warned.

The petition concluded with a call for respected party leaders including Senator Anthony Adefuye, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, and Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole to intervene and safeguard the party’s integrity.