26 chairmanship candidates of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party have emerged for the July 12 Local Government election in Lagos State.
Pastor Dayo Ekong, chairperson of the faction in the state, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos.
NAN recalls that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission recently said three factions of the party exist under different names in the state.
It, however, said only one faction invited it to monitor its primaries.
The commission said it had written a letter to the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC) for advice on the matter, ahead of the July 12 election.
Ekong said the faction’s candidates emerged at the party’s primaries, conducted across 26 locations in the state on Friday.
She explained that primaries were conducted for 26 out of the 57 councils, saying the party would not field chairmanship candidates for 30 councils, for strategic reasons.
The chairperson listed Ikeja, Surulere, Agege, Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun as some of the areas where the party is not fielding chairmanship candidates.
She said the primary for Oshodi/Isolo LG would be rescheduled to produce the 27 candidates planned for the election.
Listing the candidates, Ekong said Mr Seyi Ipinlaye, a former Secretary to Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, emerged as the LP flagbearer for the council, while Mr Oluwafemi Fadairo was declared winner in Ojokoro Local Council Development Areas (LCDA).
She said that Abudu Akinlola emerged as the winner in Ojo LG, Biola Samson emerged unopposed in Oriade LCDA, and Dr Hassan Ademola won the primary in Itire-Ikate LCDA.
She listed winners in other LGs and LCDAs including Mr Abiodun Adegun (Coker Aguda), Abdulaziz Awesu (Ikorodu Central ), M s Silifat Agbalaye (Badagry Central), Adedayo Ashade (Ifako-Ijaiye): Temitope Adulola (Iba) and Chioma Nzefili (Oto-Awori).
According to her, others are Paul Ayanlola (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye), Kabiru Koleosho (Mushin), Rasak Salako (Isolo), Dr Michael Olusegun (Ikoyi-Obalende), Lateef Liasu (Iru-Victorla Island) and John Akano (Eti-Osa).
Ekong added Adewale Elegbeleye emerged for Eti-Osa East, Anthonia Oyeneye (Kosofe), Adedotun Shoyemi (Agboyi-Ketu), Olajide Akinola (Ikorodu North), Bolanle Ajose (Ikorodu West) and Adetolu Akinnubi (Ikotun-Igando).
She said the other winners are: Gideon Adeniran (Alimosho), Olayemi Olajide (Ijede), and Bolaji Oluriwale (Mosan Okunola)
She expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the primaries.
“The primaries were conducted successfully. I am particularly happy that the LGA primaries went well in almost all local governments.
“They were free, credible and transparent. For areas with some issues, we thank God the security operatives invited were able to douse tension, and at the end of the day, the primary was held.
“It was a great day for the Labour Party in Lagos,” Ekong said
NAN correspondents who monitored the primaries at Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ojo LG, and Ojokoro LCDA report that the primaries were peaceful.
Chairman of the LP Electoral Committee for the primary in Amuwo-Odofin,, Mr. Chigozie Ezue, who declared Ipinlaye as the winner, said that out of the 70 delegates drawn from seven wards in the LG, only 68 were accredited for the primary
He said that Ipinlaye polled 56 delegate votes to defeat his rival, Mr Taiwo Akinseyi, who scored six votes, while a vote was voided.
Responding after the declaration, Ipinlaye, who expressed excitement, assured delegates that he would not fail the people.
“I know the people want me to represent them. They know I will give them good representation.
“During our tenure, Amuwo-Odofin will be known for greatness. We are saying there will be no bad roads in Amuwo-Odofin. We are promising Amuwo-Odofin a new lease of life.
“We are hitting the ground running by the grace of God. Your votes will be counted and they will be defended.
“Our people should not be afraid. We are confident that LASIEC will not cheat us,” Ipinlaye said.
Also speaking, the Amuwo-Odofin LP Chairman, Mr Obinna Emefoh, who described the process as free and peaceful, expressed confidence that the party would win the election.
On the chances of LP, Emefoh said: “If we follow the results of the 2023 presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections, everyone will know that Amuwo-Odofin is for Labour Party.
“We are fully prepared. Amuwo-Odofin is for the Labour Party. We are going to clear all the votes this time again, and we will stand to defend our votes,” he said.
On why the process was not monitored by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Emefoh said that the commission was invited, but failed to show up.
In Ojokoro LCDA, the Chairman of the LP Electoral Committee, Mrs. Humulikheaii Jaiyeola, who declared Fadairo winner, said that he polled 58 delegate votes to defeat his rival, Mr. Dayo Popoola, who scored three votes while a vote was voided.
Commending the delegates for their patience and cooperation, Popoola said the exercise was credible and was conducted to serve the party’s interest.
Responding after the declaration, Fadairo appreciated the party leaders and delegates for the overwhelming votes, promising not to let them down.
NAN reports that LP held its councillorship primaries on Thursday across the various wards in the state.
