The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were notably absent during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election held on Saturday in Surulere Constituency II, Lagos State, according to a former local government chairman and ex-APC aspirant, Quodir Onikeku. The primary, which covered six wards — Coker, Aguda, Orile, Itire, Ijesha, and Ikate — was marred by irregularities, including the lack of accreditation and voting procedures. Onikeku, speaking to journalists in Lagos, expressed deep concern over the conduct of the exercise, describing it as a clear sign of systemic flaws within the party’s internal electoral process.
He emphasized that no official accreditation took place, and the personnel responsible for overseeing the voting were nowhere to be found. “What happened in the six wards under Surulere Constituency II shows a lacuna in our party,” Onikeku stated. “There was no accreditation. The officials supposed to conduct accreditation and voting were absent, and nothing of such took place here today.” Despite understanding the political realities at play, he stressed that integrity and due process must remain non-negotiable in party affairs. “For someone like us, we understand the game very well, and we also know that the party has mechanisms to arrange something like this,” he added.
Onikeku also highlighted growing public dissatisfaction with the current representative, Lanre Okunola, accusing him of neglecting the constituency. He alleged that Okunola only returned to Surulere on Thursday, May 14, to campaign for re-election, having failed to deliver on promised projects during his tenure. This, he argued, has eroded trust among residents and undermined the party’s credibility. The former Coker-Aguda Local Government chairman called for urgent reforms within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that unresolved internal issues could jeopardize the party’s chances in future polls.
His comments come amid increasing scrutiny of APC’s internal elections, particularly in key states like Lagos, where voter engagement and transparency are critical. The absence of INEC officials, usually expected to provide oversight in party primaries, raises questions about the legitimacy of the process and the party’s commitment to fair elections. Onikeku’s remarks underscore a broader demand for accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s political structures. As the country prepares for the next general elections, the outcome of such internal party contests may shape public perception and voter turnout. The APC leadership now faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and restore confidence in its electoral processes.
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