Lagos Rep appeals to Tinubu over APC primary election crisis

 

A member of the House of Representatives representing Apapa Federal Constituency, Dr Adesola Adedayo, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis trailing the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos State.

Adedayo, in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, expressed confidence in the president’s ability to ensure justice over disputes arising from the shadow poll conducted to nominate candidates for the forthcoming National Assembly election.

The lawmaker, who is seeking a second term in office, urged his supporters to remain calm while awaiting the final decision of the party’s appeal committee on the outcome of the exercise.

He alleged that many of his supporters were disenfranchised during the primary election after it became apparent that his camp had garnered more support than his opponents.

Adedayo said he had petitioned the party, seeking either to be declared winner of the exercise or for the cancellation and conduct of a fresh primary election.

According to him, members of the appeal committee from the party’s national headquarters had already concluded their assignment and returned to Abuja, while the national leadership was yet to announce its decision.

The federal lawmaker said despite what he described as injustice against him and his supporters, he remained committed to the unity and stability of the APC.

“I trust President Tinubu. I have been his political disciple for decades. He is fair-minded and doing justice is his forte.

“I also trust the national leadership of our party, especially the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

 We have presented enough material evidence before the appeal committee to prove that what happened during the primary election was premeditated,” he said.

Adedayo said he deliberately restrained his supporters from reacting violently to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the constituency.

“My ambition is not worth the blood of anyone in the constituency. We will continue to explore the internal conflict resolution mechanism of the party in pursuing our case peacefully,” he said.

The lawmaker added that his political structure had already shifted focus toward mobilising support for the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027.

“Violence is not our way. It has never been and it will not start now, especially at a time when all hands must be on deck to ensure a landslide reelection victory for the president,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, had also criticised the conduct of the APC primary election in Lagos.

Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of the president, reportedly threatened to lead a protest against the party if aspirants she described as rightful winners were denied their tickets.

Speaking during a meeting with market leaders at her office in Alausa, she alleged that some groups within the party were responsible for the crisis, although she did not name specific individuals.