Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the conduct of the All Progressives Congress APC House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, describing the exercise as peaceful, fair, and orderly.
Gbajabiamila spoke with journalists on Wednesday after participating in the primary election at Ward G2 Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5 located in Alaka Housing Estate, Surulere, Lagos.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed satisfaction with the calm atmosphere and transparent process that characterised the election.
According to him, he has voted at the same ward throughout his political career and always appreciates elections conducted peacefully and credibly.
“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here for as long as I have been in politics. Anytime I come to vote and I see peaceful, fair, credible, and orderly elections, I am always happy. That is exactly what I have seen today,” Gbajabiamila said.
He noted that the turnout of party members for the primary election was impressive despite the exercise being an internal party process.
“The turnout has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly. The election has been free and transparent, and I am happy to see that,” he added.
Gbajabiamila further revealed that reports from other wards within the constituency also indicated that the primary election was peaceful across the board.
Speaking at the venue, Chairman of the Leaders Forum in Ward G2, Ekundayo Decker, also praised the process, describing it as evidence of healthy internal democracy within the APC.
Decker stated that the election was conducted smoothly without violence or disruption and urged all aspirants and supporters to accept the outcome peacefully.
He advised contestants to embrace sportsmanship, stressing that politics should not create division among party members.
The Surulere Constituency I primary attracted attention due to the contest between APC backed female aspirant Barakat Odunuga Bakare and incumbent lawmaker Desmond Elliott, who is seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Political observers described the exercise as one of the key contests during Wednesday’s APC primaries in Lagos State.
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