Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, Lagos State, as peaceful, fair and orderly.

Gbajabiamila made the remarks on Wednesday after participating in the primary election at Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5) in Alaka Housing Estate, Surulere.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was impressed by the conduct of party members and the peaceful atmosphere during the exercise.

“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as I have been in politics,” he said.

“And anytime I come to vote, whatever office or election it is, my reaction is always the same. When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy.”

“And that is exactly what I have seen today,” he added.

Gbajabiamila also commended the turnout of party members during the primary election.

“The turnout, considering that we are talking about primaries here, has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly.”

“The election has been free and transparent, and I am happy to see that. So, I congratulate the people of Ward G2,” he said.

He added that reports from other wards also indicated that the exercise was peaceful across the constituency.

However, the incumbent lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, withdrew from the race, alleging intimidation of his supporters.

Elliot announced his withdrawal at the Paddington Mini Stadium on Western Avenue, where the primary election was being conducted.

The actor-turned-politician claimed that many of his supporters were denied access to the polling venue despite repeated appeals to electoral officials.

“And of course, in all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside,” he said.

“They’ve not been allowed,” Elliot added shortly before stepping down from the contest.

Following his withdrawal, his supporters staged a peaceful protest and left the venue alongside him.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Leaders Forum in Ward G2, Ekundayo Decker, described the exercise as a reflection of internal democracy within the APC.

“Well, this is a pure democratic process. We have seen that the numbers are more and the voting went fine. There was no fight, there was nothing, no problem, nothing,” he said.

Decker also urged aspirants and supporters to accept the outcome of the primary in good faith.

“It is a game of sports. Any side that wins is good. The other side should please embrace the winner,” he added.

Surulere Constituency I emerged as one of the major flashpoints during the Lagos APC primaries, with reports of tension surrounding the contest between Elliot and Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who is reportedly backed by the party leadership and Gbajabiamila.