The weekend dog-fight between factions loyal to National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, and the party leaders in Lagos spilled into the streets Tuesday as members of the party in its Mushin branch stormed the House of Assembly demanding his expulsion from the party.
A member of his faction was reportedly stabbed at the weekend, showing a bad omen for the Saturday July 22 Local Government polls in the state.
Meanwhile the Police have risen to the occasion by announcing that 30,000 police personnel and other security agencies would provide security during the July 22 LG election
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, on Tuesday disclosed the figure while briefing newsmen on preparations for the election and other activities of the command.
The commissioner said that all sister security agencies, including the military would carry out their constitutional roles during the election.
He said; “We have identified the black spots in the state where we think we need more men. The police and other security agencies have met and inter-agency’s consultative committee on the election was put in place.
“All is now set for the election by all security agencies. There will be a capacity building program for all security agencies to educate them of what is expected of them on the Election Day.
“There will be interactive session for political parties’ candidates contesting for them to do an undertaking.
“We hereby warn all elements planning to foment trouble during the election to have a rethink.
“All security agencies have vowed to ensure that the election is devoid of violence. We urge all to play the game according to electoral laws.
“Anyone that dares to foment trouble will have him/herself to blame. They will be made to face the full weight of the law,” Owoseni warned.
The APC Mushin protesters, led by Femi Martins, came in hired BRT buses and carried banners demanding the expulsion of Banire. They made their demands to the House of Assembly and to the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Banire has been very critical of the way the candidates emerged, describing the process as ‘selection’ and not ‘election, and demanded that the process should either be redone to be democratic and legitimate or canceled to accommodate the views of everyone, big or small in the party.
This has obviously not gone done well with the powers that be and set him on a collision course with them. The final outcome will be seen after the announcement of the poll results.
PIX: Punch/NAN
