Some apex leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Somolu, Lagos State have backed the party’s decision on a consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat.
The leaders stated this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria at Ward A and Ward B polling units on Saturday.
The interviews were conducted during the APC primary election for the Somolu Federal Constituency seat.
Ajibade Ajayi, an APC apex leader and former chairman of Ward D in Somolu, said the party had resolved to support Kolade Alabi as consensus candidate.
He urged aspirants and members to uphold party supremacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ajayi said several meetings were held with aspirants before the primary election to persuade them to step down for one another in the interest of unity.
He, however, said the efforts did not yield the desired result.
“Therefore, the primary election became necessary in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.
“At the end of the process, it will be clear whom the people want to represent them.
“However, party supremacy will prevail in the final decision,” he said.
Also speaking, Yomi Olubamide, an APC state officer and apex leader in Somolu, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of members for the primary election.
“I am impressed with the massive turnout of members who came out to exercise their franchise,” he said.
Olubamide urged party faithful to respect decisions reached by the party leadership.
“Whoever emerges as the party’s candidate for Somolu Federal Constituency should be supported and voted for during the general elections,” he said.
Primate Abraham, former APC chairman of Ward B in Somolu, expressed displeasure over the late arrival of officials for the primary election.
He said that as at 11.25 a.m., officials expected to supervise the exercise had yet to arrive at the polling units.
“This delay should not be encouraged, considering that voters had been at the polling units since about 8.30 a.m.,” he said.
Similarly, Samuel Oluyida, former APC chairman of Ward B in Somolu, urged party members to respect the party’s rotational and zoning arrangement.
He said: “The House of Representatives seat rotates between Somolu and Bariga.
“Somolu is currently occupying the seat and it is now the turn of Bariga to produce the candidate.
“For this reason, the party has settled for Mr Kolade Alabi from Bariga as the consensus candidate.
“The primary election is being conducted to fulfil due process, but the party has already taken a position and we shall abide by the party’s decision.”
