Amid the raging chaos trailing the outcome of the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) local council primaries, the Civil Society Initiative has affirmed that the outcome of the Shomolu election was in accordance with the rule of law and due democratic processes.

The group, during a joint rally for peace and democratic order in Shomolu, noted that as democracy provides structured avenues for redress, any candidate or stakeholders dissatisfied with the process should pursue legitimate appeal procedures through the party’s internal mechanism and the judicial system, rather than resorting to incitement or threats.

The Convener, Civil Society Initiative, Comrade Buna, who spoke during the rally, condemned what he termed attempts to invite violence, chaos or unrest as a reaction to the outcome of the primary.

He noted that as it is in every democratic exercise, there must be both winners and losers, adding, however, that it is critical that all actors, especially the aggrieved, respond with maturity, democratic ethics, and sportsmanship.

“We condemn any attempt to invite violence, chaos, or unrest as a reaction to the election outcome. Democracy provides structured avenues for redress. Any candidate or stakeholders dissatisfied with the process should pursue legitimate appeal procedures through the party’s internal mechanism and the judicial system, rather than resorting to incitement or threats,” the group said.

They clarified that the election process was thoroughly observed by civil society and human rights organisations, who have affirmed that the new primaries were conducted within the framework of the APC constitution, adding that their investigation revealed no evidence of ethnic or religious bias in the conduct of the primaries.

The group said it observed a letter circulated by an Imam expressing personal concerns, stressing that while they respect the rights to free speech, “we must emphasise that this letter represents a personal opinion and has been disowned by the broader Muslim community in Shomolu.”

The group added: “Attempts to use such expressions to stoke religious tension are not only misleading but dangerous.

“It is disappointing that some aggrieved parties have attempted to introduce religious sentiment to challenge the outcome of a democratic process, such actions are detrimental to the peace and unity of our community.

“We, therefore, urge all APC members and political actors dividing our community, along religious or ethnic lines, that politics should never override our shared values of co-existence, harmony and mutual respect.”