Gbajabiamila’s Anointed Candidate Emerges Winner in Surulere APC Bye-Election

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Fuad Laguda, has been elected as candidate for the House of Representatives bye-election in Surulere Federal Constituency 1, Lagos State.

The election, billed for February 3, will be conducted to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the former speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

Laguda scored 30 votes to beat three other contestants – Raheed Owokoniran, Lawal Kabir and Manzu Jemila-who scored nil.

The total number of votes cast corresponded with the total number of delegates, five each from six wards, accredited delegates, and valid votes cast.

Before the primary, the candidate, who enjoyed the support of Gbajabiamila had been endorsed by party leaders in the constituency.

Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi had also hinted that the former speaker would not be indifferent to the nature and tendency of his successor as legislator.

At a party event in Surulere, Ojelabi also said APC would have the last say on the primary, stressing that the party was supreme.

The shadow poll, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, was conducted by a primary panel, led by Bukar Yusuf, a chieftain of the party.

Other members of the committee were Dapo Lam-Adesina, Ismait Alagbada, Sulaiman Gazali and Niyi Akinsiji.

After counting the votes, Yusuf said: “Fuad Laguda, having scored the highest number of votes cast, is hereby declared winner.”

The exercise was witnessed by a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Gabriel Abidakun Akanbi.

Only two contenders – Laguda and Owokoniran – were present at the venue.

Laguda hugged the aspirant after both of them signed the primary result sheet before the panel.

South-West and Lagos APC stalwarts who witnessed the primary included Lateef Ibirogba, former Lagos Information and Strategy commissioner; Ayodele Adewale, Lagos State APC organising secretary; Murtala Seriki, youth leader, and Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism.

They all described the primary as free and fair.

Laguda thanked the delegates, party leaders and people of the federal constituency, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him.

He said: “We give glory to the Almighty Allah for the good atmosphere. The primary was credible.”

The candidate said he would reach out to other aspirants for collaboration as members of a united political family.

House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, who described the primary as transparent, fair and orderly, congratulated Laguda and the party on a successful primary.

Hailing the process, Ibirogba said party leaders would spearhead reconciliation to pacify aggrieved contenders.

Surulere APC Chairman, Sheriff Balogun, said members of the party would now return home to mobilise for the bye-election.