APC primaries: Why there was violence in Alimosho – Council chairman

As the dust that clouds the conduct of All Progressives Congress, APC, primary elections in some areas begins to settle, More facts have emerged about what transpired at the party’s House of Assembly Primaries in Alimosho area of Lagos State.

Recall that the primaries in the area on Thursday was marred by violence and pandemonium

Speaking on the development, Chairman, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Olabisi Adebajo disclosed that misinformation and mistrust by some of APC members was the catalyst that brought matters to a head and violence ensued.

Adebajo made the disclosure on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Recall the ensuing melee on Thursday, led to the  postponement of the APC House of Assembly primaries for Alimosho Constituency I, which held on Friday.

Adebajo said the delays led to suspicion among party supporters who thought the process had been hijacked, hence the violence.

According to her, the vice-chairman of the council was injured and some members of staff were battered, while several vehicles and items were damaged.

She said the situation made the council request watertight security, saying: “Today the environment is cool and calm, we have enough security around.”.

“They (party supporters) thought that the voting was taking place because of the delay. They even checked vehicles for ballot boxes,” she said.

She described the election process where 35 ad-hoc delegates voted as free and fair.

Rotimi Ekundayo emerged as winner of the Alimosho Constituency I House of Assembly primary election to clinch the ticket as the APC flag bearer for the constituency.

Ekundayo defeated 18 other aspirants following votes cast by 35 delegates amidst heavy security presence and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Chairman of the APC electoral committee/returning officer for the constituency, Ishola Ogunsola, announced that Ekundayo polled 19 votes out of the 35 votes cast, Jimoh Orelope polled 15 votes while Mafe Abiodun got one vote.