The All Progressives Congress Lagos State Governorship primaries recorded a massive turnout today across the 10 wards of Ikeja.
At the Makinde Street Congress, venue for Ikeja Ward C which comprises Olusosun, Oregun and Alausa where the National Leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu voted saw members turn up as early as 8am and queue peacefully waiting for the electoral officers who later turned up at 9.45am.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described as an insult, the insinuation that there is rancour between him and the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Tinubu disclosed this in an interview with media men at the Makinde Congress venue on Tuesday in Ikeja during the APC governorship primary in the state.
His words: “It is a democracy day for us. Elections are supposed to be a celebration of democracy for us. And we are proud to face the world and Nigerians that we are democrats because democracy is present in us. What an open election means is an elimination of corruption in the delegate system”.
Speaking on the ongoing governorship primary and the events leading to it, Tinubu said: “It is even beyond me as a leader. Whatever is happening now, I have to submit myself to. People want to participate in what is happening and we have to let that happen”.
Tinubu who described as an insult, the insinuations in some quarters that there is love lost between him and the governor, said he has no reason to fight Ambode because he brought him into the party and to the people.
“The governor! Rancour between us? No! I will regard that as an insult. I brought Ambode to the people. He was a civil servant under me. He performed very well as a civil servant. And when he showed interest in politics after leadership courses in Harvard and others we gave him the opportunity and we presented him to the party and the party accepted him.
“So, if the party now says they want either a change or they want to reaffirm his governorship through an open system, we have to abide by that. If they elect him today, so be it. You see, you will remain relevant as a leader if you once in a while submit yourself to what the people want. We can’t call ourselves democrats if we don’t respect the will of the people” Tinubu said.
As at the time of filing this report, voting has concluded in most parts of the state with results showing Ambode’s challenger, Sanwo-Olu in early lead.
At the Olwaleyinmu Sports Center venue for APC Ikeja Ward E which comprises Ipodo, Alade and Seriki-Aro communities witnessed the largest turnout in Ikeja Federal constituency. Among the electorate is Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson the APC National Women Southwest and she spoke with Lagos Panorama on internal party democracy. “I am very happy and satisfied with our people and the massive turnout is an indication that we know what an internal democracy is. They are ready to exercise their right, nobody is coaxing anyone, everyone is happy and excited to be part of the process that will elect who will be their governor” she said.
Also at the Ward E Congress, we spoke with Chief Funso Ologunde, the APC Vice Chairman Lagos West. He said, “this large turnout and peaceful atmosphere is an indication that there are better days ahead and Ikeja being Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political base is setting a good example for others to follow.
Our correspondent also interviewed Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu who also spoke on need to promote the internal democracy as witnessed today. “Out of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos State is one of the state that clamoured for direct primaries and that is democracy at its best. The turnout today is an indication that the people are not ready to joke with their mandate and they have unanimously voted for the aspirant of their choice. As a matter of fact, we need to say a big thank you to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, my father who has supported the direct primaries. To sustain democracy, we have to practice it to the fullest; as we know democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people and of course the people have decided today.
RESULTS FROM THE 10 WARDS OF IKEJA:
APC Ikeja Governorship primary results:
Ward A
Sanwo 1410
Ambo 11
Ward B
Sanwo 1769
Ambo 47
Ward C
Sanwo 2960
Ambo 6
Ward D
Sanwo 2446
Ambo 6
Ward E
Sanwo 9658
Ambo 0
Ward F
Sanwo 1367
Ambo 13
Ward G
Sanwo 4850
Ambo 0
Ward H
Sanwo 338
Ambo 111
Ward I
Sanwo 428
Ambo 103
Ward J
Sanwo 357
Ambo 8
Total votes
Sanwo-Olu 25,583
Ambode 305
