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Former Accountant General of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday emerged the winner of the governorship primary election which held at the Onikan Stadium, Ikoyi, Lagos.
NigerianEye gathered that as many as 10 of the candidates vying for the opportunity left the venue angrily, and it is unclear if the large-scale disaffection that compelled them to take that action will precipitate further crisis within the APC in Lagos that might lead to the party losing the key state.
Akinwunmi Ambode who is said to be Tinubu's favored candidate has worked for the state for several years and in fact reputed to be the brains behind the awesome internal revenue being generated by the state today, Ambode obviously lacks requisite political experience to singly defeat some of his co-aspirants.
Those defeated by Ambode included the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the past eight years, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and serving senator representing Lagos West in the National Assembly, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon.
The other aspirants that lost to Ambode in the high politics of Thursday at the Onikan Stadium are: a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Sasore, said to be a favourite of the outgoing Governor Babatunde Fashola; a former Commissioner for Health, Leke Pitan; an incumbent Commissioner for Works, Obafemi Hamzat; a former aide to Tinubu, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Mr. Adekunle Disu, Mr. Wahab Tokunbo, Mr. Olanrewaju Ope and a former Commissioner for Rural Affairs, Mr. Tola Kasali.
Curiously, both Fashola and Tinubu were absent at the Onikan primaries as of the time of this report late Thursday though delegates were still hopeful that Tinubu would still appear at the venue.
Our correspondent saw the governor’s convoy drove past the venue and ascend the Third Mainland Bridge around 11am.
Sources told our correspondent that the governor was not happy with the conduct of the primaries.
One of the aspirants, who asked not to be named, said, “The way things are going, there may be mass defection from this party as even the governor might leave soon. Tinubu has emasculated all of us, including Fashola who is not even being given a say.
“We planned to shun the primaries in protest after the party refused to postpone it following our request but we all agreed to come so that we can observe it properly in case the matter is taken to court. In any case, the dubious manner in which the state congress was carried out is already at a Federal High Court so there is a high possibility that the result of this event will be nullified.
“Only Tinubu has the list of the delegates and most of us were not able to reach out to them. This is most unfortunate.”
Speaking to journalists in a telephone interview, one of the aspirants who staged a walk out, Mr. Tokunboh Wahab, expressed his displeasure about the exercise saying that there were lot of lapses on the part of the committee saddled with the responsibility of the primaries.
He alleged that the party’s delegates list was not made available until the day of election.
Also kicking against the primaries, Mr Adebiyi Afolayan, the media aide to Dr. Leke Pitan, said that his boss is not satisfied with the primaries and he is going to address a press conference tomorrow.
“The position of Dr Leke Pitan about APC governorship primaries would be know tomorrow. So, I don’t want to speak for him but I can tell you confidently that he is not satisfy with the primary,” he said.
In Epe Local Government Area, 291 delegates voted while in Badagry, 305 voted while eight registered delegates did not vote.
In the Ikorodu LGA, 498 delegates voted while in Ibeju-Lekki, 189 delegates voted.
In Ojo, 237 delegates voted while 15 registered delegates were absent. In Agege LGA, it was 193 while in Ifako-Ijaye it was 214.
In the largest LGA, Alimosho, 583 delegates voted while in Mushin it was 280. In Eti Osa 329 delegates voted while in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, 234 voted while nine were absent.
In Amuwo Odofin, 212 voted while six were absent. In Kosofe 299 voted. In Ikeja, 290 voted while in Somolu LGA 243 voted . In Oshodi LGA 282 voted while in Apapa, 196 voted.
In Mainland LGA, 264 voted while in Surulere 340 voted. In Lagos Island LGA, 252 voted.
Congrats
ReplyDeleteNIAJA POLITICS, nobody wants to LOSE.
ReplyDeleteThe list of delegates ought to have been cleared and published prior to fixing of date of the primary election.Some delegates were absent probably because they were not aware of their inclusion.
ReplyDeleteEither way someone else will still complain is part of the politics, politician learn how to accept defeat.
ReplyDeleteShine your eye, Nigerian parties are the same.The smartest win primaries. General election do the sorting. Hear this from one of the losers. ''Only Tinubu has the list of the delegates and most of us were not able to reach out to them''. Cooperate with the winner and make Lagos state better.
ReplyDelete