Anxiety is rising in Kosofe Local Government as the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) withdraws and replaces candidates from various political parties. It ends on August 17.
While PDP candidates for the State and House of Representatives emerged last May through transparent and credible primary elections without rancour, where contestants were dissatisfied with a rerun order.
However, the APC Kosofe constituency 1& 2 House of Assembly and House of Representatives primary elections held on May 27 have been trailed by a series of petitions, press conferences, and mass protests, among others.
The Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, the incumbent lawmaker representing Lagos’ Kosofe Federal constituency, and supporters stormed the party’s state secretariat in Acme to reject the election results that produced Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara as the party’s candidate.
Similarly, Engr. Abiodun Owokoya, a House of Representatives aspirant, marched to Bourdilon, the home of APC National Leader and 2023 Presidential candidate, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to express his displeasure.
Also, Kosofe constituency 1 House of Assembly aspirant, Lanre Carew, whose constituency primary election was allegedly conducted without his knowledge at an unknown venue by Fuad Oki led by party officials, rejected the announcement of Mr. Sanni Okanlawon as the candidate of the party for Kosofe constituency 1.
Amidst the protests and petitions, the party went ahead to present the INEC forms to the purported winners of the controversial primary election in Kosofe.
Despite all the political developments revealing the decision of the party, aggrieved aspirants such as Rotimi Agunsoye, Engr. Abiodun Owokoya, and Lanre Carew, and their numerous supporters, are still highly optimistic that the party decision will be revisited on or before August 17, the INEC deadline for withdrawal and substitution of candidate names to right the wrongs.
Reliable sources who spoke to this medium said the automated INEC system has prevented electoral process manipulation and rigging as seen in Osun state last Saturday.
He added that broad daylight vote buying has been drastically reduced following the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission agency during the election.
“Transparent and credible primary elections, the personalities and social and economic impact of the candidates will play a major role in the 2023 general elections.”
He warned Kosofe and Lagos APC leaders to avoid the pitfalls that befell the party in Osun.
He urged them to field people’s choice and prevent revolt votes among the APC members and the general public in 2023.