By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS — The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is facing intense scrutiny as a prominent pressure group, the APC Integrity Group in Badagry, has formally rejected the outcome of the recently concluded House of Assembly primary election for Badagry Constituency 1. And has called on the National Working Committee (NWC), the Lagos State APC Leadership, and the APC Election Appeal Committee to intervene immediately.
Addressing journalists and party stakeholders at a press briefing on Saturday, June 6, 2026, the group stated that their ongoing protest is aimed at preserving internal democracy and safeguarding the party's future in the coastal division.
The brewing political impasse stems from the APC Lagos State House of Assembly primary election held on May 21, 2026. According to the Integrity Group, the process fell far short of the transparent, credible, and democratic benchmarks expected by party faithful, casting a dark shadow over the final figures announced by the committee.
The leaders noted that the shadow election was deeply compromised: “What transpired during the APC Lagos State House of Assembly Primary Election held on 21st May 2026 was not the transparent, credible and democratic exercise that our members expected. It was a process allegedly characterized by irregularities, intimidation, exclusion, procedural violations and manipulation that have cast a dark shadow over the outcome announced thereafter.”
During the brief, the coalition presented five core structural failures that allegedly undermined the credibility of the primary exercise:
Unannounced Date Adjustments: The original primary scheduled for May 20 was cancelled without official notifications sent to aspirants. A new date was subsequently fixed and circulated strictly through informal loops, leaving key stakeholders blindsided.
Accreditation Failures: Widespread failures in membership verification allowed unverified individuals to participate, directly violating standard APC electoral guidelines.
Data Discrepancies: Sharp, inexplicable mismatches were recorded between the initial vote counts announced at individual ward levels and the final aggregated figures presented at the central collation center.
Voter Intimidation: Atmospheric violence and orchestrated intimidation were used to discourage genuine party members from exercising their franchise out of fear for their personal safety.
Exclusion of Accredited Agents: Most critically, legally certified party agents were completely barred from accessing the collation room. The group alleged that results were compiled entirely behind closed doors without transparency or external oversight.
The pressure group strongly clarified that their demand for external accountability goes far beyond individual ambitions, emphasizing that it impacts the foundational rules of the party.
“The will of APC members in Badagry must not be stolen. Democracy within our party must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal interests. The votes and voices of genuine party members must count. This is not just about Hon. Solomon Saanu Bonu. This is about every APC member in Badagry whose vote must matter.”
The Badagry APC Integrity Group explicitly directed an appeal to the highest decision-making organs of the party. They called on the National Working Committee (NWC), the Lagos State APC Leadership, and the APC Election Appeal Committee to intervene immediately.
The Group's Official Demands:
1. A comprehensive and rigorous investigation into all reported procedural violations and irregularities.
2. An independent verification and cross-examination of all ward-level result sheets against final collation records.
3. Swift institutional accountability and disciplinary action against any party official found to have compromised the integrity of the primary.
4. Appropriate remedies to restore the true democratic mandate given by APC members in Badagry Constituency 1.
Reaffirming their long-standing dedication to the ruling party, the coalition emphasized that their dissent should not be misconstrued as anti-party activity. They stated that they are not fighting the party, but rather defending it from actions capable of damaging its institutional credibility and unity.