LG Poll: They Paid For Forms, We Paid For Logistics, So No Re­fund For Anyone – Lagos APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC) on Sunday said it will not refund any money to chairmanship and coun­cillorship aspirants who lost out in the recently conclud­ed primary elections to select candidates for the scheduled July 24, 2021 local government elections.

The state’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Tunde Balogun, and the Secretary, Lanre Ogunyemi, had in a statement on Friday, titled, ‘List of 57 Lagos State APC Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates for the forth-coming 2021 Lo­cal Government Elections,’ announced the results of the primaries.

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But the results had since been generating ripples in the rank and file of the party. There were also threats by hoodlums to invade the party secretariat located on ACME Road, Ogba. The area was cordoned off by fierce-looking security operatives last week.

Some of the aggrieved aspi­rants have been pleading with the Governor’s Advisory Com­mittee (GAC), the highest deci­sion-making body in the state headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinu­bu, former governor of Lagos State and the party’s national leader to refund their money.

Worldtopnewsng had reported that, Chair­manship aspirants paid N2 million, plus N50,000 administration fee for the party’s nomination forms, while female aspirants got 50 percent off, of the administration fee.

“Aside, the nomination fees, we also settled party leaders and mobilise party members for the primaries. Why should they make us spend our hard-earned money when they know they already had pre­ferred candidates?” one of the aspirants asked.

But speaking with Daily Independent on Sunday, Balogun, said no aspirant should expect a refund as they were not forced into collecting the nomination forms.

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He added that the party spent a lot of money in pur­chasing nomination forms, logistics and other expenses to conduct the primaries in 377 wards across the state.

“Nobody should expect any refund from us. If you contest an election, does INEC pay you back? The answer is no. So, why should any aspirant expect a refund from us?

“Yes, they paid for nomina­tion forms but we produced ballot papers and other mate­rials used for the primaries. We also spent a lot of money for logistics. So, there is no re­fund for anyone.

“Those who paid for nom­ination forms did so on their own volition. It was their choice to do so. Nobody forced anyone to pay for anything and I can tell you that the process was open and transparent.

“I have never seen any par­ty so magnanimous to allow female aspirants to pay 50 per­cent of the nomination fees. I have never seen any party that has allowed aspirants less than 40 years to contest with 50 percent payment. We did that so that we can allow as many people to participate.

“Also, we allowed the phys­ically challenged to pay a meagre amount so that they too can participate. So, there is no reason for any refund. We have spent a lot of money on printing ballot papers, nomi­nation forms and lots of funds were provided for logistics.”

“Remember, we contested elections in 377 wards across the state. So, the cost was huge. These people are only looking at what they have paid as aspi­rants but what we have spent as a party is humongous”.

Balogun also appealed to aggrieved aspirants who are threatening to go to court not to do so, urging them to direct their grievances through the APC Election Appeal Com­mittee.

“There’s an appeal com­mittee. They are still sitting and we will consider their report. I don’t see any reason why any aspirant should go to court.

“Of course, the decision of the appeal committee will be binding on us. We could not have election for one week without giving people the re­sult. What will be my expla­nation to our party members today if the results have not been released? So, we have played our part but we will respect the decision of the Appeal Committee”.

In a related development, Hon. Akinwunmi Bayode, chairmanship aspirant of the APC in Iru/Victoria Island LCDA, has petitioned the State Appeal Committee on Local Government Election over alleged fraudulent manipu­lations in the just concluded direct primaries held across the state.

In the petition, Bayode al­leged electoral malpractices, intimidation and oppression of his loyalists, saying evi­dence abound that he defeated Rasheeda Adu, the incumbent chairman of Iru/Victoria Is­land LCDA in the controver­sial primary.

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While calling for a cancel­lation of the primary and a fresh election, he said he will do everything possible to get justice and may take legal action if his petition was not acted upon.

Speaking further, Bayode said it was wrong for the APC leadership in the state led by Mr Balogun to release the name of alleged winners when the Appeal Committee was yet to submit its report.