A group loyal to former Somolu Local Government Chairman, Gbolahan Bagostowe, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intervene in the controversy surrounding the party’s primary election for Somolu Constituency I.
The group, known as the Bagostowe Media Crew, alleged that there were attempts to sideline Bagostowe despite what it described as support for his ambition among party members in the constituency.
Three aspirants — Bagostowe, Abiodun Orekoya and Remi Ogara — contested in the APC primary held on May 20, 2026.
However, the exercise has remained a subject of controversy following disputes over the conduct of the election in four of the constituency’s six wards.
According to the group, voting was peacefully conducted and results endorsed by agents in Wards A and B, but concerns emerged in Wards D, E, H and I over alleged irregularities in the accreditation and voting process.
Speaking with journalists at Ward D, Oke Meta Primary School, Bajulaiye, on the day of the primary, the group’s spokesperson, Rasak Raji, said some supporters of Bagostowe refused to endorse results from the affected wards.
Bagostowe Camp Alleges Irregularities In Four Somolu APC Primary Wards
“We raised concerns when we observed what we believed were irregularities in the accreditation and voting process,” Raji said.
He alleged that some individuals whose party membership status could not be independently verified were allowed to participate in the exercise.
“We have six wards in Somolu Constituency I. The exercise was peacefully conducted in Wards A and B, and the results were duly endorsed by agents of the aspirants.
“However, concerns arose in the remaining wards over the participation of persons whose membership status could not be independently verified,” he added.
The Bagostowe Media Crew further alleged that there were attempts to validate results from the disputed wards despite objections raised by some party members.
“The information available to us suggests that there have been attempts to influence the outcome of the process,” the group claimed.
The group also expressed concern over the alleged role of some APC officials in the handling of the primary and called for an impartial review of the complaints.
It argued that failing to properly address the grievances could undermine confidence in the party’s internal democratic process in Somolu Constituency I.
The group said the disputed primary was reportedly reviewed by a panel led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Audit, Yemi Ayoola.
Group Calls On Tinubu, APC Leadership To Intervene And Ensure Due Process
Appealing directly to Tinubu and the APC leadership, the group urged the party to ensure that the complaints were thoroughly investigated and that due process prevailed.
The group referenced the 2025 Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, which saw Speaker Mudashiru Obasa impeached before later being reinstated following political interventions, as an example of a major dispute that was eventually resolved.
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“We call on well-meaning party leaders to intervene in this issue and allow justice prevail like it did during the leadership crisis that rocked the State House of Assembly.
“This is about protecting the integrity of the process and ensuring that the wishes of genuine party members are respected,” the group said.
While expressing confidence that the issues could still be resolved through the appropriate party and electoral channels, the Bagostowe Media Crew noted that the process was not yet concluded, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to publish the final list of candidates.
The group urged APC members and residents of Somolu Constituency I to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the resolution of the outstanding issues.