Agege and Orile-Agege APC leaders have dismissed claims of candidate imposition in the just-concluded Lagos LG primaries
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]eaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege and Orile-Agege have debunked allegations that chairmanship and councillorship candidates were imposed in the May 10 local government primaries.
The primary elections, held at the APC secretariat in Ikeja, produced candidates through delegate voting and consensus across Lagos’ 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs ahead of the July 12 council polls.
Despite this, dissenting voices in Agege and Orile-Agege raised imposition concerns over the emergence of Alhaji Tunde Azeez and Idowu Akinola as chairmanship candidates.
Those making these false claims are sore losers and have, for years, ostracised themselves from the APC and our communities.
Rising from a strategic meeting on Tuesday at the Agege LG Secretariat, prominent APC leaders from both councils issued a joint communiqué rejecting the imposition allegations and affirming the credibility of the primaries.
Signatories included Hon. Dr. Wale Ahmed (House of Reps), Alhaji Jubril Kareem (Agege 02, Lagos Assembly), Hon. Afolabi Tajudeen (Special Adviser to Governor), Hon. Afolabi Ayantayo (Commissioner for Establishment), Alhaji Safari Adaranijo (APC apex leader), and Alhaji Genius Owolabi Dada (pioneer Agege LG chairman), among others.
“As far as we are concerned, the primary elections were free and fair,” the communiqué stated.
“Suggestions by some elements that the candidates were imposed are misleading. Those making these false claims are sore losers and have, for years, ostracised themselves from the APC and our communities.”
The leaders cited that notable critics; including Kayode Opeifa, Dr Samuel Adejare, and Oluyinka Ogundimu, no longer reside in Agege and are inactive in local party matters.
Others mentioned, such as Biodun Ogunji, Bukola Sofidiya (Gidado), and Sola Osolana, were accused of residing abroad and returning briefly to pursue political aspirations.
“It is general knowledge that the party adopted consensus or delegate voting using LG exco members as voters,” the statement added.
The communiqué concluded by reaffirming that those criticising the process were disconnected from the party’s grassroots and not legitimate contenders in the primaries.
Source: Read more at gazettengr.com
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