Again, violence mars APC rerun ward congresses in Lagos

The rerun of All Progressives Congress ward congresses in some parts of Lagos on Thursday went on smoothly in some areas, but violence occurred in other places.
Following inconclusive elections and protests during Saturday’s congresses, the state congress committee had called for rerun of elections in over 100 of the 377 wards in Lagos.
Party faithful came out early in several wards visited and took part in the exercise after the arrival of officials conducting the exercise.
At Ward C, Badia, elections were conducted for 26 ward offices, five local government delegates and five state delegates.
The elections were observed by an official from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The same situation was witnessed at Ward E, Ijora-Badia, Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, where elections were also conducted for 26 ward offices, five local government delegates and five state delegates.
The congress at Agidingbi Ward E, Akiode in Ojodu LCDA, which took place at Agidingbi Town Hall, also went smoothly with elections concluded by 2pm.
Party faithful were also seen in some wards in Agege waiting to take part in the exercise.
However, fighting broke out at Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos as two rival youth groups engaged themselves with dangerous weapons in the area.
Bottles and dangerous missiles were hurled into the air, which sent many people scampering to safety.
Policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, who were stationed at the venue, had a hectic time trying to bring the situation under control.
Many cars parked in the vicinity had their windshields broken by the warring parties.
In Badagry Local Government Area, the rerun congress in Ward E comprising Vetho, Agelasho and Agamathen turned violent when a group was accused of trying to manipulate figures.
Several people were injured following the violence.
However, the intervention of some security agents brought the situation under control.
Meanwhile, the State Congress Committee for Lagos State has promised that the party’s upcoming local government congress in the state would be hitch free.
Hajia Jubril Duku, the Deputy Chairman of the committee, told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday that the mistakes in the ward congresses would not be repeated in the April 12 congress in the councils.
Duku said: “So far, so good.
“We have finished all the councils and have done a post-mortem of the ward congresses.
“We have tried to address all the issues, anticipating that while we don’t rule out challenges, we are sure that the council congresses will be successful.”
Duku said that plans to ensure a successful outing had been put in place and the committee had met with all those involved in the congresses to fine-tune the arrangements.