APC members protest alleged attempt to nullify Ayuba’s primary win

Michael Olumide

Stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State have condemned alleged attempts by the state executive of the party to deny Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, currently serving as the Federal Representative representing Alimosho, victory in the recently conducted primary election, insisting that the exercise was peaceful, credible and reflected the will of party members.

Speaking at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos State, National Chairman, Movement For Greater Nigeria, National Vice Chairman of the Consolidated APC Grassroots Movement (CaGRam) Southwest, and National Coordinator of the Yoruba Arts and Cultural Tradition Group, Comrade Okedara Kolawole, said that their concerns in an open letter addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, calling for urgent intervention to safeguard the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process and prevent avoidable unrest among supporters.

The group alleged that despite evidence from the election process, some elements within the Lagos State chapter of the party were allegedly attempting to manipulate the outcome in favour of preferred candidates.

According to Okedara, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba clearly emerged victorious during the primary election conducted in Alimosho, noting that the process was peaceful and monitored by party faithful, observers and stakeholders.

He stated that video and pictorial evidence from the exercise support Ayuba’s victory and accused certain party leaders in Lagos of acting contrary to the directives of the national leadership of the APC.

The stakeholders recalled the appearance of the APC National Chairman on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on May 24, 2026, where he reportedly assured party members and Nigerians that all petitions and appeals arising from the primary elections would be fairly and urgently handled by the National Working Committee (NWC).

They further noted that the national chairman had emphasized that only the appropriate national organ of the party possesses the constitutional authority to announce final and binding results of the primaries.

However, the group alleged that the Lagos State APC leadership ignored those directives by allegedly promoting unofficial outcomes and attempting to impose candidates against the wishes of party members at the grassroots.

“The premature dissemination of unofficial results, especially in a politically sensitive environment, creates confusion, breeds distrust and heightens the risk of avoidable conflict among supporters of aspirants,” the letter stated.

The stakeholders warned that recognizing unofficial publications as final results before the completion of the party’s internal dispute resolution process could undermine confidence in the APC’s commitment to fairness, transparency and internal democracy.

They therefore urged the National Working Committee to urgently intervene by ensuring speedy hearing and determination of all petitions and appeals arising from the primaries.

The group also called on the party leadership to publicly reaffirm that only the designated national organ of the APC has the authority to declare authentic and binding results.

According to the letter, an official clarification from the national leadership would help discourage reliance on speculative media reports and restore confidence among party members and supporters.

The stakeholders further stressed that the eventual declaration of results must reflect due process, transparency and verifiable outcomes capable of commanding acceptance among all aspirants and party faithful.

“The strength of our party lies not only in its electoral victories but also in the credibility of its internal democratic processes,” Okedara stated.

“At a time when public confidence in democratic institutions is under scrutiny, the APC must continue to uphold fairness, discipline and respect for due process.”

He appealed to the national leadership of the party to act swiftly to preserve party unity, prevent avoidable tensions and protect the integrity of the APC ahead of future elections.

They noted that letters were also addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the APC Chairman in Lagos State and Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye.