Lagos APC stakeholders seek sanctions against erring members in Agege

*Declare support for Abiola, Enimakure

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege, Lagos State, have commended the leadership of the party for standing firm against what they described as undue pressure from powerful interests during the recently concluded party primaries.

The stakeholders also called on the APC leadership to investigate and sanction members allegedly involved in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the party following the conduct of the primary elections.

The call comes in the wake of protests by supporters of Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf, who contested the primaries but were unsuccessful.

The protesters had stormed the APC state secretariat on Tuesday, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and demanding a review of the list of winners.

The demonstrators also chanted slogans against some prominent party leaders, accusing them of influencing the outcome of the primaries.

Addressing journalists at a press conference, a leading stakeholder in Agege, Adegbenro Shodijo, described the actions of the protesters and their alleged sponsors as embarrassing and detrimental to the reputation of the party and the Agege political community.

Speaking on behalf of concerned stakeholders, Shodijo urged the party leadership to investigate allegations of result manipulation and misconduct during the post-primary period.

“We call on the leadership of the party to urgently investigate the disturbing activities of certain individuals who allegedly engaged in the circulation of forged, manipulated and coerced results in a desperate attempt to undermine the democratic process,” he said.

“Even more troubling was the reckless and disrespectful manner in which some individuals openly attacked and disparaged highly respected state party leaders simply because the outcome of the primaries did not favour their personal ambitions.

“We therefore urge the appropriate organs of the party to thoroughly investigate these actions and ensure that any member found culpable is sanctioned in accordance with the APC constitution.

“Discipline remains the bedrock of every successful political organisation, and the party must not allow the actions of a few individuals to undermine its credibility, unity and internal cohesion.”

The stakeholders also reaffirmed their support for the emergence of Oluwagbenga Abiola and Sule Enimakure as APC candidates for Agege Constituencies I and II respectively ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to them, the party leadership deserves commendation for refusing to bow to pressure from individuals who seek to dominate and dictate the affairs of the party in Agege.

They described Abiola’s emergence as a victory for grassroots democracy, loyalty and service, noting that his popularity cuts across youths, women, artisans, traders, community groups and party faithful.

“His victory reflects the wishes of the people and demonstrates that the voice of the grassroots remains supreme in a democratic process,” the stakeholders stated.

They expressed confidence that both Abiola and Enimakure possess the capacity, experience and grassroots support required to secure victory for the APC and provide effective, responsive and people-centred representation for the people of Agege.