Tension has emerged within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State following allegations from a support group backing aspirant Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, which accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of attempting to influence the outcome of the party’s direct primary election in Somolu Constituency I.
The group alleged that the governor was backing his cousin, Abiodun Orekoya, who is also seeking re-election, in what they described as an effort to manipulate disputed ward results in his favour.
Speaking to journalists, a spokesperson for the Bago-Stowe support group claimed that irregularities occurred during voting in several wards, including allegations that individuals who were not registered party members were allegedly allowed to participate in the process.
The group further alleged that while the exercise was successfully completed in some wards, producing results that were signed by party agents, other wards experienced disruptions that prevented completion of voting due to disagreements over voter eligibility and procedure.
According to the allegations, tensions escalated in affected wards after supporters of rival candidates rejected what they described as compromised participation lists, leading to a breakdown in parts of the exercise.
The group also claimed that pressure was being placed on electoral officials to accept disputed results, warning that such actions could undermine internal democracy within the party.
They insisted that the returning officer should not be compelled to declare inconclusive or unsigned results, arguing that such outcomes would be inconsistent with electoral procedures.
The aspirants in the contest include Bago-Stowe, incumbent lawmaker Orekoya, and another contender, Remi Ogbara, as the party continues its internal selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
