The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Dayo Israel, has been criticised over his controversial tweet in which he claimed to have delivered seven of the 10 polling units in the largely Igbo community of Otumara, Lagos Mainland, in last Saturday’s governorship and assembly elections.
Israel via his Twitter handle on Sunday claimed to have delivered seven of the 10 polling units in the community to the APC.
In the controversial tweet, Israel wrote: “Today, I rejoice not (just) for delivering my polling unit, but also for winning seven of the 10 polling units in my nearby Igbo dominated community where APC has never won.
“They always vote for opposition, but this time, I sat with the youth of the community and forged a partnership. Today, we won seven out of 10 polling units; first time in history. Never happened before, Never! Glory be to God.”
Reacting to the tweet, APC Southeast Coordinator in Lagos Mainland, Pastor Eze King, said the monarch of the community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ajani Owolabi and the Oloto of Otto kingdom, Oba Bashiru Oloto, were instrumental to APC’s victory.
He said: “Otumara community is 75 per cent Igbo. During the campaign, the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, visited the community once.
“House of Assembly candidate, Owolabi Ajani, came twice. In fact, Ajani spent more hours with residents throughout the night, campaigning. The new Oba also put in a lot of efforts.
“The Baale of the community, Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, held meetings both day and night. Besides convening meetings in his office, he also met leaders of ethnic groups in their locations. He must be commended.
“This not about the effort of an individual, it is collective, but when we talk of those that put in maximum efforts, we should talk of Baale Kalejaiye, Ajani and our revered monarch, the Oloto of Otto, Oba Oloto.”
A resident and voter in the election, Jeffery Anyansi, expressed displeasure about the claim by the APC national youth leader, saying he was an opportunist.
He said: “The governorship election was very easy for the APC to win, but it didn’t come easy. Baale Kalejaiye met with some of the residents at night, while he met others during the day. He convinced them on the need to vote for the APC for rapid development of the community.
“Over the years, residents have come to trust Baale Kalejaiye. They voted for the APC because Kalejaiye begged them to.
“It is, however, surprising when Israel tweeted that he delivered seven of the 10 polling units at Otumara. He never did. To be honest with you, I don’t like people dulling another person’s shine. Israel disappointed me for such claim.”
The APC Ward B Leader, Mr. Semiu Akibu, disagreed with the tweet, saying: “It is the effort of the Baale, High Chief Kalejaiye, complemented by some ward executives that translated to the electoral victory we recorded at Otumara during the governorship election.”