Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday staged a protest in Badagry, demanding a review of Lagos State House of Assembly primary election results in Badagry constituency 2.
The protesters were carrying placards with different inscriptions “Respect the will of the people” “Setonji 3014 votes won, 2209 votes failed. “We say no to mandate snatching in Badagry constituency 2.
Others are” We will not be silenced”
“3041 votes can’t be ignored” ‘The people have spoken Setonji David is our choice” ‘Our votes, our right, our future “.
Speaking with newsmen, Mr Akindele Ogunlana, the Director General, Setonji David Campaign Organisation, said the results of the primary were doctored during collations of results.
According to him, Mr Setonji David won the primary 3014 votes while the aspirant that was declared winner was in third position.
“The results brought to us from the five wards indicated that our man, Setonji David won the primary.
“Surprisingly, when we got to collation centres, our agents were prevented from entering the centre by the soldiers hiring by some politicians to man the place
“Consequently, in the evening, they brought a fictitious results that indicated that the third person in the winning list has won the election,” he said.
Ogunlana called on President Bola Tinubu, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and all leaders of APC in Lagos and Badagry to look into the matter and give the mandate back to the winner, David.
Also speaking, Mr Kiki Sewanu, a youth leader in Badagry said the youth are angry over the result of the primary.
According to him, thousands of youth are on the street protesting the abnormality in the primary.
He said the result of the primary was a mockery of democracy in Badagry constituency 2, urging the leadership of the party to correct it and give the mandate to the winner.
Sewanu said that everyone in Badagry Constituency 2 were in confusion because of the results of the primary.
Another party leader, Mr Sedegla Pot-Balogun, echoed similar sentiments, saying President Tinubu’s political journey was built on democratic principles and fairness.
He argued that the President would not support a situation where a candidate who allegedly came third in a primary election would emerge ahead of the declared winner.
Pot-Balogun warned that unresolved grievances could affect party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general election, urging the APC leadership to address the concerns of members and ensure justice is served.
Despite a heavy downpour, the protesters continued their demonstration and later proceeded to the residence of Chief Moses Ogunbiyi, the APC Apex Leader in Badagry Local Government.
Responding to the protesters, Ogunbiyi commended them for conducting themselves peacefully but cautioned against actions capable of causing division within the party.
He assured them that the APC leadership was aware of the grievances and was making efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
While urging patience, Ogunbiyi advised party members to remain loyal and law-abiding, stressing that whatever decision eventually emerges from the party leadership should be respected.
