News Article: APC Members in Lagos Reject Party's Candidates' List

In a shocking move, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos' Alimosho Federal Constituency have rejected the party's candidates' list, citing an irregular primary election. The incumbent lawmaker, Mr Ganiyu Ayuba, was declared winner at the collation centre with 31,021 votes, while the first runner-up, Olabisi Adebajo, polled 2,739 votes.

The Coordinator of the group, Idowu Martins, addressed a press conference in Lagos, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that Ayuba's mandate is restored. Martins argued that the published candidates' list didn't represent the authentic results of the APC primary election, stressing that only the national leadership of the party in Abuja had the authority to release and announce official primary election results.

According to Martins, Ayuba remains the preferred choice of APC members in Alimosho Federal Constituency, noting that the constituency is witnessing the emergence of an indigene as its representative in the National Assembly. The group was adamant that the party had initially adopted Ayuba as its consensus candidate before directing members to proceed with a direct primary election.

Donald Abuegbina, the Deputy Coordinator of the group, stated that supporters of Ayuba were mobilised across all wards in the constituency, and that there was video evidence showing the Returning Officer declaring Ayuba winner of the primary election. Abuegbina called on the national leadership of the APC to ensure justice prevails and Ayuba's mandate is restored.

The Iyaloja of Obadore Kingdom, Folashade Balogun, urged President Tinubu and the APC national leadership to intervene in the matter, citing Ayuba's consistent support for market women through grants and financial assistance.

"We want to say clearly that some people have been claiming they are closer to the President than we are, but the President is closer to the people, and we are the grassroots people," Martins said. "We are the ones who will mobilise and vote for the President in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. We appeal to the President to help us reclaim Ayuba's mandate."

"We are trying to prevent our people from taking to the streets in protest, but if the right thing is not done by restoring Ayuba's mandate, we will have no choice but to ensure our voices are heard," Martins said.

In a shocking twist, the APC members claimed that there was video evidence showing the Returning Officer declaring Ayuba the winner of the primary election. This development will likely have significant implications in the coming weeks and months.

Key Facts

• The incumbent lawmaker, Mr Ganiyu Ayuba, won the primary election with 31,021 votes. • The first runner-up, Olabisi Adebajo, polled 2,739 votes. • The group claims that the party initially adopted Ayuba as its consensus candidate before directing members to proceed with a direct primary election. • Supporters of Ayuba were mobilised across all wards in the constituency. • There is video evidence showing the Returning Officer declaring Ayuba the winner of the primary election.