By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Two people have reportedly lost their lives as fracas ensued All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Lagos, Reporters At Large has gathered.
The incident was alleged to have came about at Surulere Ward E (1) when celebration faithfuls were inside the system of electing candidates for the neighbourhood authorities election coming up soon.
This is just as hoodlums have reportedly attacked the Returning Officers for Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr Lateef Ibirogba and his counterpart at Somolu Local Government, Amida Abudu.
Both of them have since returned to the state party secretariat at Acme, Ikeja.
The thugs were said to have stolen Ibirogba’s handset and bag after attacking him.
Some members alleged that the incumbent council chairman, Ahmed Apatira was behind the attack.
According to them, Apatira knew he would lose the election, hence he sent thugs to disrupt the process.
But Apatira said he didn’t instigate the attack, saying the people attacked alongside the Returning Officer, were his supporters.
“How can I, the Chief Security Officer of the council instigate such attack. It is a lie. Those who did that knew I’m the popular aspirant, hence didn’t want the primaries to hold. They have been sending thugs to threaten my supporters before the election. They even threatened some party leaders,” he added.
At Surulere, it was learnt that two persons were killed during a fracas.
In Somolu Local Government, some thugs allegedly attacked venue of the primary with guns and cutlasses and injured the Cothe uncil Chairman’s aide, Ajimomuya.
In Alimosho, there was a video on social media of a crowd accusing a party chieftain of sending thugs to disrupt the election.
The police officers were also said to have witnessed the scenario but couldn’t stop the hoodlums from disrupting the process.