Agege APC Primaries: Former LG chairman defeats vice, picks House of Assembly ticket
By Kazeem Akande/Itohan Laserian
Former Agege Local Government Chairman, Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, has defeated his former Vice Chairman, Gbenga Abiola at Ward A, Agege, at the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries.
The newsmen reports that Mr Akorede Shoremekun, the Party Returning Officer at Agege Constituency I, declared Egunjobi winner after the direct primary exercise.
Egunjobi defeated his former Vice chairman to pick an APC ticket to represent Agege Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA).
The former Agege LG boss, while giving his remarks, said that the primary election process showed effective internal democracy in Agege as party members supported their preferred candidates.
“As you can see, these are our party members and they are all here to cast their votes, this is not a rented crowd.
“They are all residents of Agege and this is Ward A particularly, comprising Gbogunleri, Isale-oja, and Mangoro and others, as we have 11 wards in Agege Federal Constituency.
“Five wards of Agege Federal constituency make up Constituency I, which I am aspiring to be their representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he said.
The former chairman said that he had served the community for eight years as the local government chairman, adding that the residents had confidence in him to represent them at the state legislative chamber.
“This is my area, I was born here. I grew up here and I have served them as Chairman for eight years and I never disappointed them.
“This victory is just the reward of good work because before people can come out to exhibit, to show love, that means you have done well for them.
“They are still expecting more and by His grace, God willing, we will definitely do more for our community.
“This victory is for our people as you can see, everybody maintained peace and orderliness. No fights, no problem, no insults, you can see we are having a fun day,” Egunjobi said.
Newsmen reports that Ward E, Orile Agege, there were three aspirants – Mr Ganiyu Egunjobi, a former Chairman of Agege; Mr Babatunde Oladipo and Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola.
Speaking, Mr Fatai Ajibola, the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the process was fair and due process was adhered to.
Ajibola said: “Today, all the 40 constituencies in Lagos state are conducting primaries for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“As supporters and as party members of Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, who just won at the Ward E primaries, we are happy.
“Over a period of time, he has done a lot and he is always there on the side of the masses, carrying the party’s banner high, doing the needful.
“He was once a chairman of Agege Local Government. He is a known person and a very good man.
“Meanwhile, the second aspirant had like 26 votes, while the third aspirant got 30 votes,” Ajibola said.
Ajibola expressed optimism that Egunjobi would emerge victorious in the coming general elections.
Mr Olatunji Omokolade, the Youth Leader in Orile Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said that the primaries in the constituency was free and fair.
“I am a party faithful and I’m here on behalf of the youth of Orile Agege.
“Having gone through other wards and coming out to this place to observe the process of the election, the election today was free and fair.
“It went well and it was so obvious the winner for the election is known to everybody,” he said.
Newsmen reports that counting started at about 1:05 p.m. and ended at about 1:51 p.m., with security operatives at the ward to maintain orderliness.
