Security was heightened around the Lagos State secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogba, Ikeja, on Thursday morning as the party commenced the distribution of personnel and election materials for its governorship primary.
Security operatives, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies, were stationed around the secretariat to maintain order during the exercise.
Several security vehicles carrying armed personnel were positioned at strategic points while ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials were transported to local government areas and designated voting centres across the state.
Party officials and electoral officers arrived at the secretariat from about 6 a.m. to sort and distribute both sensitive and non-sensitive materials ahead of the primary election.
Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Primaries Local Organising Committee, Sesan Daini, said lessons from previous primaries informed the party’s decision to begin deployment early.
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According to him, the early movement of officials and materials was aimed at preventing delays at voting centres and ensuring a smooth exercise across the state.
“We have learnt a lot during the course of these primaries. That is why we deployed early today to avoid delays at the various centres,” he said.
Daini said the party was determined to complete the process and announce the outcome on the same day.
“We want our election officers to go and return early. We want to ensure the winner emerges today and is declared today,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the primary would be peaceful, noting that the party had settled for a consensus candidate.
“We expect a peaceful exercise because the party has gotten a consensus candidate. We believe members will conduct themselves responsibly,” Daini added.
He also disclosed that some electoral officers had already arrived at their assigned locations before voting commenced.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.