Heavy security beef up was noticed around the All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat in Ogba, Ikeja, on Thursday morning as the party commenced deployment of personnel and materials for its governorship primary election.
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 and monitor activities.
Several patrol vehicles carrying armed security personnel were strategically positioned within and around the premises as electoral materials and officials departed for different parts of the state.
Vehicles transporting ballot papers, result sheets, and electoral officers to local government areas and designated voting centres were seen leaving the APC secretariat ahead of the commencement of the exercise.
Party officials and electoral personnel reportedly arrived at the secretariat from as early as 6:00 a.m. for the sorting and distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Primaries Local Organising Committee, Sesan Daini, said the party had strengthened its logistics arrangements to avoid delays during the exercise.
“We have learnt a lot in the course of these primaries. That is why we deployed early today to avoid delays at the various centres,” he said.
According to Daini, the APC was determined to ensure a smooth and timely conduct of the primary election across Lagos State.
“We want our election officers to go and return early. We want to ensure the winner emerges today and is declared today,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the governorship primary would proceed peacefully, noting that the party had settled for a consensus candidate ahead of the exercise.
“We expect a peaceful exercise because the party has gotten a consensus candidate. We believe members will conduct themselves responsibly,” he said.
Daini further disclosed that some electoral officers had already arrived at their assigned centres ahead of voting.