Chief Press Secretary of Somolu Local Government in Lagos State, Owolabi Oseni, has warned those resisting the emergence of Lateef Ashimi as Chairmanship and Taiwo Ojomu as Vice Chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to desist.

Oseni said given that the primary election process that led to their emergence was credible, allegations of injustice and irregularities were untrue.

Oseni, in a statement, said the primary, conducted via indirect voting by 27 constitutionally recognised party delegates, was won by Ashimi with 23 votes.

His words: “Since 2017, the administration of Abdul Hamed Salawu ‘Dullar’ has brought modernisation and responsive governance to Somolu. More importantly, it opened space for younger leaders with competence and street credibility. This laid the groundwork for the emergence of 46-year-old Lateef Ashimi and 40-year-old Taiwo Ojomu as Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates of the APC. Both men are known for their community engagement, political loyalty, and educational background—graduates of Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos respectively.

“The APC primary was conducted via indirect voting by 27 constitutionally recognized party delegates. Ashimi won decisively with 23 votes. Allegations of injustice and irregularities have since surfaced, but they appear to be driven more by political frustration than factual evidence.

“The primary election process was credible, overseen by a respected committee chaired by Babatunde Ogala, SAN. From all available accounts, the process was orderly, transparent, and in accordance with party guidelines. The result represents not exclusion but a shift in power from political monopolies to the people—especially the youth.

“However, forces resisting this change remain active. Celebration has erupted across Somolu. From Bajulaiye to Akoka, Okesuna to Onipanu, youths are applauding the APC leadership in Lagos and at the national level. Community stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, leaders, market associations, Christian and Muslim clerics, ward youth leaders, and ethnic groups, have visited the local secretariat to congratulate the candidates and pledge their full support.

“Meanwhile, a disruptive protest attempt allegedly organized by aggrieved politicians failed. Hired thugs from Yaba, Mushin, Bariga, and Abule Ijesha were repelled by security agencies before they could carry out an attack on the newly built Somolu LG Secretariat. Despite external noise, the people of Somolu are united behind Ashimi and Ojomu. The ticket reflects not just youth representation but also religious balance—Ashimi a Muslim, Ojomu a Christian, and an equal Muslim-Christian distribution of councillorship slots. What’s unfolding in Somolu is not injustice, but a democratic transition aligned with President Tinubu’s vision—letting the youth not only breathe but lead.”