A massive crowd gathered at Alaka Housing Estate, Ward G2, in Surulere Constituency I of Lagos State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) began the accreditation of members for its House of Assembly primary election.
Party supporters and delegates from various wards across the constituency turned out in large numbers for the exercise.
Among the aspirants contesting in the primary are the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Desmond Elliot, and Barakat Odunuga.
Addressing party members at the venue, the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf, stated that the exercise was peaceful as delegate accreditation commenced ahead of voting.
Yusuf dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging intimidation of party members, maintaining that the process would remain free, fair and transparent.
He explained that the APC had already concluded its Senate and House of Representatives primaries before proceeding with the House of Assembly election.
According to him, “Today is the House of Assembly election, which is the major election in Surulere because the House of Representatives and Senate primaries were unopposed.
“We mobilised for this election, and the whole place is peaceful. Since consensus was not reached, the party decided to conduct a primary election, and everybody is free to vote according to his or her conscience.
“Nobody is intimidated. Everybody is allowed to cast their votes freely. What is being circulated on social media is not true.
“Immediately after the election, whoever emerges victorious becomes our candidate, and we will all support the person.”
‘Politics In Surulere Is Not Do-Or-Die’
An APC chieftain in Surulere, Agboola Dabiri, also commended the impressive turnout recorded during the primary election.
He noted that professionals, artisans and traders all suspended their daily activities to participate in the process.
Dabiri explained that party members would ultimately determine whether the incumbent lawmaker or the party’s preferred aspirant would emerge victorious.
“There will be a winner today, either the incumbent or the new aspirant. At the end of the day, everybody will work together for the progress of the party despite the allegations of disloyalty being circulated online,” he stated.
“As you can see, many people are here. We have teachers, doctors, engineers, market women, mechanics and several others who came out to vote.
“There is peace in Surulere, and our politics is not do-or-die. At the end of the day, there will be no crisis.”
Security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, were deployed to strategic locations around the venue to maintain order and ensure a smooth exercise.