A group loyal to a former Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Hon. Gbolahan Bagostowe, has called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention over what it described as attempts to sideline him in the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Somolu Constituency I ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, Bagostowe Media Crew, alleged that certain influential figures within the Lagos APC were working against what it described as the preference of party members in the constituency.
Three aspirants – Gbolahan Bagostowe, Abiodun Orekoya and Remi Ogara -participated in the APC primary election held on May 20, 2026.
According to the group, the exercise witnessed disputes and disruptions in four of the six wards where voting was scheduled to take place. It further claimed that concerns raised during the exercise were subsequently reviewed by a panel reportedly led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Audit, Hon. Yemi Ayoola.
The group also recalled that another support organisation, the Gbolahan Bagostowe Support Group, had earlier expressed concerns about the conduct of the primary election.
Speaking with journalists at Ward D, Oke Meta Primary School, Bajulaiye, on the day of the primary, the group’s spokesperson, Rasak Raji, said voting could not hold in four of the six wards after large scale irregularities.
“We raised concerns when we observed what we believed were irregularities in the accreditation and voting process,” Raji said.
According to him, the situation affected Wards D, E, H and I, leading some supporters of Bagostowe to decline endorsement of the results from those wards.
“We have six wards in Somolu Constituency I. The exercise was peacefully conducted in Wards A and B, and the results were duly endorsed by agents of the aspirants. However, concerns arose in the remaining wards over the participation of persons whose membership status could not be independently verified,” he said.
Raji further alleged that efforts were being made to have results from the disputed wards accepted despite objections raised by some party members.
“The information available to us suggests that there have been attempts to influence the outcome of the process,” he claimed.
He added that members of the group expected party officials to act impartially and ensure that all grievances arising from the exercise were properly addressed.
Concerns Over Party Processes
The group further argued that allowing the disputed results to stand could undermine confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.
Referring to recent political developments in the state and how it was amicably resolved, particularly the leadership crisis that affected the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2025 where the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa was impeached and subsequently reinstated following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, the group appealed party leaders to also resolve the Somolu Constituency I crisis and ensure transparency and fairness prevails.
“We call on well-meaning party leaders to intervene in this issue and allow justice prevail like it did during the leadership crisis that rocked the State House of Assembly.
This is about protecting the integrity of the process and ensuring that the wishes of genuine party members are respected,” the group said.
The statement added that party members were hopeful that all concerns raised would be objectively reviewed by the appropriate authorities.
The Lagos APC Leadership Connection
The group also alleged that some party officials were involved in efforts that could influence the final outcome of the primary election.
According to the group, information available to it suggested that the APC state leadership played a role in developments surrounding the disputed results.
“Sources available to us indicate that certain party officials may have been involved in decisions relating to the management of the primary process,” the statement alleged.
The group therefore appealed to President Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to review the concerns raised and ensure that due process was followed.
“We call on President Tinubu to ensure that fairness, transparency and justice prevail. We believe the concerns raised by party members deserve objective consideration,” the statement said.
The People’s Mandate
Reassuring its supporters, the group noted that the electoral process was still ongoing and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to publish the final list of candidates.
It maintained that the party’s internal processes remained open and urged supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding.
The group also called on APC members and voters in Somolu Constituency I to remain united and avoid actions capable of undermining party cohesion, expressing confidence that all outstanding issues would be resolved through the appropriate channels before the relevant electoral deadlines.