The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I of Lagos State as peaceful, transparent and orderly.
The exercise, however, took a dramatic turn after incumbent lawmaker Desmond Elliott announced his withdrawal from the race, alleging intimidation of his supporters.
Gbajabiamila spoke with journalists after casting his vote at Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5) located within Alaka Housing Estate in Surulere.
“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as I have been in politics,” he said.
“And anytime I come to vote, whatever office or election it is, my reaction is always the same. When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy.
“And that is exactly what I have seen today.”
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also commended the turnout of party members, noting that participation was impressive for a primary election.
“The turnout, considering that we are talking about primaries here, has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly.
“The election has been free and transparent, and I am happy to see that. So, I congratulate the people of Ward G2,” he added.
Gbajabiamila further stated that reports from other wards within the constituency indicated that the process remained calm across board.
“From what I am hearing, the feedback I am getting, it is the same across the board,” he said.
Meanwhile, Elliott announced his withdrawal from the contest at the Paddington Mini Stadium along Western Avenue, where the APC primary election was held.
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The actor-turned-politician claimed that several of his supporters were denied entry into the polling venue despite repeated appeals to electoral officials.
“And of course, in all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside,” he said.
“They’ve not been allowed,” Elliott added shortly before leaving the venue with his supporters.
Following his withdrawal, supporters of the lawmaker staged a peaceful protest before exiting the premises alongside him.
Despite the controversy, the Chairman of the Leaders Forum in Ward G2, Ekundayo Decker, maintained that the exercise reflected healthy democratic practice within the APC.
“Well, this is a pure democratic process. We have seen that the numbers are more and the voting went fine.
“There was no fight, there was nothing, no problem, nothing,” he said.
Decker also urged aspirants and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election peacefully.
“It is a game of sports. Any side that wins, good. The other side should please embrace the winner,” he stated.
Surulere Constituency I emerged as one of the major flashpoints during the APC primaries, as Elliott sought a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly against Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a female aspirant reportedly backed by the party leadership and Gbajabiamila.
The development follows weeks of reported tension between Elliott and the Chief of Staff ahead of the primary election.