EGUNJOBI’S PETITION LACKS MERIT, VIOLATES DUE PROCESS AND SHOULD BE THROWN OUT

The Agbelebu Solidarity Forum, through its Director General, Jamiu Ademosu, has described the petition reportedly submitted by Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi as a desperate and meritless attempt to mislead party leaders and distort the facts surrounding the recently concluded APC House of Assembly primary election in Agege Constituency 01.

The Forum maintained that the claims contained in the petition are inaccurate, misleading, unsubstantiated and designed to create a false narrative around a process whose facts are already well known to party members, stakeholders and observers who witnessed the exercise.

According to the Forum, it is important to state clearly that the authority to declare and affirm the outcome of party primary elections rests solely with the duly constituted organs of the All Progressives Congress. No aspirant, supporter or interest group possesses the authority to unilaterally declare themselves victorious outside the procedures established by the party.

The Forum noted that the APC Constitution, Nomination Guidelines and established internal processes provide clear mechanisms for the resolution of disputes arising from primary elections, including appeals and reviews where necessary. It argued that any attempt to circumvent those processes through propaganda, media campaigns or self-help measures undermines the integrity of the party and should not be encouraged.

The Forum further stated that the so-called petition lacks compliance with basic institutional due process and fails to satisfy the minimum requirements expected of any serious complaint brought before the party.

According to the Forum, the petition is inconsistent with the party’s nomination guidelines governing House of Assembly primary elections and is equally at variance with relevant provisions of the APC Constitution and applicable electoral regulations.

It further argued that the petition does not meet the threshold of a complaint deserving of serious consideration and should therefore be dismissed in its entirety for lacking merit.

The Forum also recalled that the party’s guidelines required proper ward-level processes and declarations as part of the primary election procedure. It maintained that the voter turnout witnessed across several wards, supported by available video evidence, raises serious questions regarding figures that were subsequently circulated in some quarters.

According to the Forum, available evidence demonstrates substantial participation by party members in several wards and contradicts figures that have been publicly promoted since the exercise. It insisted that the totality of the evidence available to stakeholders and party members does not support the narrative being advanced by the petitioner.

The Forum further expressed concern over events witnessed during the collation process at the local government secretariat. According to the Forum, scenes captured during live television coverage raised serious concerns regarding the circumstances under which disputed figures were announced. It maintained that the alleged intimidation and pressure placed on collation officials, if properly examined, would further undermine the credibility of the figures currently being circulated and would amount to a violation of the spirit and guidelines governing the conduct of the primary election.

The Forum stated that the credibility of any electoral process depends on transparency, due process and compliance with party regulations and that any action capable of compromising those principles cannot be ignored.

The Agbelebu Solidarity Forum also emphasized that the APC in Agege must remain united. According to the Forum, it is unacceptable for individuals who have benefited immensely from the platform, opportunities and goodwill provided by the party to engage in actions capable of encouraging anti-party activities, division or disaffection among members.

The Forum urged all stakeholders to place the collective interest of the APC above personal ambition and warned against attempts to create unnecessary tension within the party following the conclusion of its internal processes.

It further stated that all relevant facts, documentary materials, video evidence and other supporting information relating to the conduct of the primary election will be presented to the appropriate organs of the party at the appropriate time.

The Forum expressed confidence that the National Working Committee will carefully examine all issues before it and arrive at a decision guided by the APC Constitution, the Party’s Nomination Guidelines, due process and the principles of fairness and justice.

“The truth remains unchanged. No amount of misinformation, propaganda or political grandstanding can alter the facts. The party must remain guided by evidence, its constitution and its established procedures,” the Forum stated.

The Agbelebu Solidarity Forum therefore called on the National Working Committee to dismiss the petition in its entirety and remain focused on preserving the integrity, unity and democratic traditions of the All Progressives Congress.

Signed:

Jamiu Ademosu
Director General
Agbelebu Solidarity Forum