Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday described the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, Lagos State, as peaceful, fair and orderly.
His remarks came despite complaints by incumbent lawmaker, Desmond Elliott, who withdrew from the contest over alleged intimidation.
Gbajabiamila spoke with journalists after participating in the primary election at Ward G2, Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5, located at Alaka Housing Estate in Surulere.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was impressed by the conduct of party members and the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the exercise.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Gbajabiamila also commended the turnout recorded during the primary election.
He said: “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.”
The presidential aide added that reports from other wards indicated that the exercise remained peaceful across the constituency.
“From what I am hearing, the feedback I am getting, it is the same across the board,” he stated.
However, Elliott announced his withdrawal from the race at the Paddington Mini Stadium on Western Avenue, venue of the APC primary.
The actor-turned-politician alleged that his supporters and ward members were intimidated and denied access to the accreditation and voting areas.
He said repeated appeals to electoral officers to allow his supporters into the venue were ignored.
Elliott said: “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 added: “They’ve not been allowed.”
Following his withdrawal, supporters of the lawmaker staged a peaceful protest before leaving the venue alongside him.
Despite the controversy, Chairman of the Leaders Forum in Ward G2, Ekundayo Decker, described the exercise as a reflection of internal democracy within the APC.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, Decker insisted the process was conducted peacefully without violence or disruption.
He said: “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.”
Decker also urged all aspirants and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election in good faith.
“It is a game of sports. Any side that wins, good. The other side should please embrace the winner,” he said.
Surulere Constituency I emerged as one of the major flashpoints during Wednesday’s APC primaries in Lagos State.
