By Ebunoluwa Sessou

An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC, contesting for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat in Agege Constituency 1, Mr Gbenga Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu, has appealed to party members and his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully ahead of Wednesday’s primary election.

Abiola urged party faithful to shun violence, intimidation, rancour and any act capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The aspirant gave advice in the election eve charge to followers on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said the contest should not be treated as a do-or-die affair because members of the party remained one family pursuing a common goal.

Abiola, the immediate past Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government, said the unity and stability of the APC in the constituency must be protected above personal ambitions and political interests.

He said his aspiration to represent the people of Agege Constituency 1 was driven by passion for service and persistent calls from residents and supporters who believed in his capacity to deliver quality representation.

According to him, the ambition is rooted in the desire to deepen grassroots development and contribute meaningfully to legislative interventions that will benefit the constituency.

The APC chieftain noted that his years of service in different leadership capacities had prepared him for higher responsibility and effective representation.

Abiola, a former Sole Administrator of Agege Local Government and former Secretary to Agege Local Government Area, said his public service experience had given him deeper understanding of the needs of the people.

He also said his role as the National Coordinator of Tinubu Media Force, a support group for President Bola Tinubu, had further strengthened his commitment to progressive ideals and people-oriented leadership.

Abiola, however, stressed that no political ambition was worth the blood or injury of any individual, urging supporters to embrace peace before, during and after the primary election.

“I want to sincerely appeal to all our supporters and APC members in Agege Constituency 1 to remain calm, orderly and peaceful throughout the primary process.

“This ambition is borne out of passion and genuine calls from our people who believe in our vision and capacity to serve them diligently.

“However, no ambition is worth the blood of anyone. We must not allow politics to divide us or push us into violence and unnecessary confrontation,” he said.

Abiola urged youths and loyalists to avoid being used by desperate politicians or external forces to foment trouble or create tension within the constituency.

He warned against acts of intimidation, harassment and verbal attacks, noting that APC as a progressive family had always resolved its internal affairs through peaceful and democratic means.

The aspirant also advised supporters against spreading falsehood, engaging in hate campaigns or making inflammatory comments capable of heating up the polity.

He urged party members to respect constituted authorities and cooperate with party leaders and electoral officials assigned to oversee the primary election.

According to him, leaders and stakeholders in Agege have continued to play important roles in sustaining the unity and stability of the APC in the constituency.

Abiola said he remained deeply grateful to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, whom he described as his political leader, mentor and benefactor.

He noted that Obasa had served the constituency diligently over the years and deserved honour and respect from all party faithful following his elevation to represent Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

“I have tremendous respect and regard for Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa who has contributed immensely to the political growth and development of Agege.

“He remains my leader and benefactor, and nothing about this contest should be interpreted as disrespect or disloyalty to his person and leadership,” Abiola said.

The aspirant called on his supporters to demonstrate maturity and discipline irrespective of the outcome of the primary, saying the larger objective of the APC was victory in the general elections.

He added that party unity, mutual respect and collective progress must always take precedence over personal interests and political ambitions.

Abiola expressed confidence in the leadership of the APC to conduct a transparent, credible and peaceful primary election that would further strengthen the party in Agege and Lagos State at large.