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Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Thursday commended the peaceful conduct of the party’s ongoing ward congresses and governorship primary process, describing the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and a contest of ideas ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the exercise at the Ward A4 held at Ansar–ud-deen Primary School, in Epe Local Government Area, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor thanked party members and participants for turning out to vote peacefully despite the weather conditions, stressing that the process reflected the party’s commitment to democratic principles.
According to him, reports from across the state indicated that the exercise had remained peaceful in all the 45 local council development areas where the congresses were taking place.
Hamzat said democracy should not be seen as warfare, but rather as “a competition of ideas” focused on moving the people and the state forward.
He said the party intended to campaign on its programmes, manifesto and development agenda rather than violence or intimidation.
“We will come out with our manifesto. We will come out with our programmes. We will come out with what we want to do to improve the state,” he said.
He added that the party understood the history and geography of Lagos State and was best positioned to continue delivering development and progress that future generations would be proud of.
Also speaking, the Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi addressed party faithful alongside members of the electoral committee, commended members for their orderly conduct and commitment to sustaining democracy.
He said the committee assigned to supervise the exercise was satisfied with the peaceful atmosphere observed during the accreditation and voting process.
“You have done the accreditation. I stand before you as the chairman of the party to thank all of you and appreciate your commitment towards keeping our democracy and making sure that you continue to support our party,” he said.
The chairman also urged members to replicate the peaceful conduct witnessed during the exercise in subsequent stages of the electoral process.
He noted that members of both the governorship committee and other supervising bodies were present to monitor compliance with party guidelines and procedures.
Addressing party members, Rtd. General Jon Temlong the Chairman of the electoral committee sent from Abuja said the seven-member team was deployed by the APC national headquarters to oversee the Lagos House of Assembly and governorship primaries.
He disclosed that the House of Assembly primary conducted on Wednesday was successful and peaceful, adding that the governorship process was also progressing in line with the party’s guidelines and Nigeria’s electoral laws.
“What we are seeing here in Lagos is that democracy has actually taken root,” he said, while commending party members for their conduct during the exercise.
The committee chairman stressed that the exercise was aimed at allowing party members freely choose those who would lead them in 2027, insisting that there should be no intimidation or coercion.
“All we want to see and observe now is to see that you do it according to the rules of the game,” he stated.
He explained that the committee decided to visit Epe to observe proceedings outside Lagos metropolis and expressed satisfaction with the level of organisation and participation.
The committee chairman also commended ongoing infrastructure projects in the area, particularly the road construction project initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the team was impressed by the progress recorded.
He further warned party members against filing frivolous appeals, noting that members of the appeals committee were present and had witnessed the process first-hand.
The official urged members to remain orderly, peaceful and respectful throughout the exercise, expressing optimism that Epe would continue to develop into what residents fondly describe as “Little London.”
Kayode Eleshin, the Returning Officer noted that both aspirants Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and Lanre Jim-Kamal had agents present at the venue, but observed that there was no queue behind Jim-Kamal, a situation he said could not be conclusively explained.
He subsequently announced that Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat secured a total of 2,210 votes in the ward A4 at Ansar-u-deen primary school Epe local government primary election.
According to him, the total number of registered members for the exercise stood at 2,720, while 2,432 members were accredited to participate in the voting process.
He explained that the 2,210 votes recorded were within the accreditation limit, noting that the shortfall in voter turnout was due to some accredited members leaving the queue after waiting for long hours.
The Returning Officer thereafter formally declared Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat the winner of the Governorship Primaries at the ward.
