BREAKING: NWC cancels Lagos APC primaries as Ambode denies conceding defeat to Sanwo-Olu

The National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) sent from Abuja to monitor the party’s governorship primary in Lagos State has nullified the exercise held across the 20 local government areas of the state on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Clement Ebri, who addressed the press around 4.30pm at Protea Hotel, Alausa, said the election could not have held because the committee was still expecting the list of representatives of one of the two aspirants.

The primary is being contested by Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Ebri, however, did not mention the camp that defaulted on the modalities for the election.

The national spokesperson of the party, Yekini Nabena, had earlier said he was not aware of the cancellation of Tuesday’s primaries.

However, in a swift reaction, the chairman of the Lagos chapter of the party, Mr. Tunde Balogun, said the party’s governorship primary held earlier on Tuesday (today) remains valid and that the result will soon be announced.

Balogun insisted that the primary had held and that the results would soon be announced.

Balogun said, “Of course, the primary election took place in all the 245 wards in Lagos State and it was peaceful; not a single case of violence was recorded. It was peaceful, it was fair, it was just and transparent.

“The election stands, because it was conducted according to the constitution of our party.”

Meanwhile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has denied conceding defeat to his rival in the primary, Jide Sanwo-Olu.

This was revealed in a statement signed and released by the Ambode Campaign Organisation (ACO) on Tuesday.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has not conceded any defeat as primary election is yet to hold on Lagos State.

There are guidelines and procedures which the National Working Committee (NWC) has insisted must be followed in conducting a credible poll. These include the usage of membership slips and membership cards by registered party members as well as the adoption of secret ballot system which protects the electorate. The NWC came from Abuja with sufficient ballot papers which are yet to be distributed. As a loyal and responsible party member and a democrat, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is guided by the process announced by the party and shall await the new date of the governorship primary election.

We urge all party members and our teeming supporters to remain calm and peaceful and to refuse to be intimidated. Governor Ambode is still very much in the race and is poised to win in order to continue the good works he has been doing in the last three and half years.

Long live APC!

Long Live Lagos State!

Signed:

Ambode Campaign Organisation (ACO)