APC primaries hold amid tight security

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress
has commenced its governorship primaries at the Onikan
Stadium, Ikoyi.
Over 3,000 delegates from the 20 local government areas
of the state have been accredited and ballot boxes placed at
the centre of the field.
All 13 governorship aspirants are seated outside the main
field. They are: A former Commissioner for Health, Dr.
Leke Pitan; a former Account General of the state,
Akinwunmi Ambode; the Current Commissioner for
Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the Speaker of the
House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Senator
Ganiyu Solomon.
Others are Mr. Wahab Tokunbo, a former aide to
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tayo Akinde; Mr. Olanrewaju
Ope, a former Commissioner for Rural Affairs, Mr.
Toyin Ayinde and a former Attorney General of the
state, Mr. Olasupo Shasore.
Ambode, who is said to have the backing of Tinubu is the
most likely candidate to win.
Our correspondent who spoke to a cross section of
aspirants across all the local governments learnt that
Ambode would emerge the winner.
Despite protests by all the aspirants (except Ambode) that
the direct system of election should be used, the APC has
gone ahead to employ the delegate system otherwise known
as the indirect system of voting.
The Peoples Democratic Party has therefore told the
APC aspirants that they are free to join the PDP if
they perceive any hanky panky.
However, the state Chairman of Lagos APC, Chief
Henry Ajomale, said, while addressing journalists at the
venue, that there would be a level playing field.
Ajomale said the direct system of primaries would be too
hectic and cumbersome. He, however, said aspirants
would not defect to the PDP if things did not go their
way.
He said, “We had about 20 aspirants in 2007 and many
even left because they were not satisfied but we still won
convincingly.
“Everybody cannot win but I am proud of the quality of
the aspirants we have today.”
The chairman of the event, Mr. Peter Obada, who is
also a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, said the
votes would be counted at the venue.
More details later. . .