Agege APC primary dispute deepens as aspirant Ganiyu Egunjobi alleges his victory was overturned despite winning the primary election
An aspirant in the All Progressives Congress primary election for Agege Constituency I in Lagos State, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, has accused the party leadership of overturning his alleged victory and imposing another candidate despite what he described as a clear mandate from party members.
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Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Egunjobi claimed he won the APC primary election by a wide margin and was officially declared the winner before the party leadership announced another aspirant, Gbenga Michael Abiola, as the party’s candidate.
The politician described the development as a grave injustice and warned that it could undermine confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process.
“However, I stand before you with a heavy heart to express my profound disappointment over the manner the leadership of the party in the state robbed me of my victory and announced Gbenga Michael Abiola as the party’s candidate through the back door,” Egunjobi said.
The controversy has intensified the Agege APC Primary Dispute, with the aspirant insisting that available records support his claim of victory.
According to Egunjobi, results from voting centres and records allegedly available to the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies showed that he secured the highest number of votes in the contest.
“Based on the results obtained from the various voting centres and the records available to INEC and DSS, I won the election and was officially declared winner by the electoral officials in full view of the public,” he stated.
“The figures and evidence at my disposal indicate that the mandate was freely given to me by the electorate.”
Egunjobi claimed he scored 9,132 votes in the primary election, while Oladipo Tunde Shola and Gbenga Michael Abiola secured 560 and 434 votes respectively.
The aspirant questioned how a candidate he alleged placed third in the contest eventually emerged as the party’s flagbearer.
“For some reason beyond fairness, justice and the principle of democracy, the party hierarchy in the state in the comfort of their office coronated Abiola who came distant third,” he alleged.
Egunjobi stressed that his challenge was not motivated by personal ambition but by a desire to protect democratic principles and ensure respect for the will of party members.
“This is not merely about my personal political aspiration. It is about protecting the integrity of our electoral process and ensuring that every vote counts,” he said.
“Democracy thrives when the will of the people is respected. When that will is distorted, confidence in the system is weakened.”
Despite his grievances, the APC chieftain reiterated his loyalty to the ruling party and said he had no intention of creating division within its ranks.
He disclosed that he had formally petitioned the relevant party organs and appeal bodies, seeking a review of the outcome of the primary election.
“I have therefore resolved to pursue all legitimate and constitutional avenues available to seek redress,” he said.
“I have submitted a formal petition to the appropriate party organs and electoral appeal bodies, presenting all relevant evidence in support of my claim.”
Egunjobi called on the APC leadership to objectively review the circumstances surrounding the exercise and ensure that justice prevails.
“The credibility of our internal democratic process depends on the ability of our institutions to act fairly and courageously,” he said.
As the Agege APC Primary Dispute continues, Egunjobi appealed to his supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate tensions within the party.
“Let us demonstrate faith in the rule of law and in the democratic process while we seek a fair resolution,” he added.
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The APC had not publicly responded to Egunjobi’s allegations as of the time of filing this report.
