The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State officially launched its campaign for the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for July 12th. The event, held at the party’s state secretariat in Ogba, served as a platform to formally present party flags to the 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship candidates vying for positions in the local councils. This symbolic gesture marked the commencement of the party’s concerted efforts to secure victory in the elections. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, pledged the government’s unwavering support to the candidates, emphasizing the collective commitment to ensuring their success. The governor’s message underscored the party’s dedication to not merely winning the election, but also to upholding its progressive values and continuing the legacy of President Bola Tinubu by delivering tangible improvements to the lives of the people.
Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), addressed the candidates, urging them to prioritize service to the people if elected. He highlighted the importance of youth involvement in politics and lamented the prevalence of those seeking personal gain over genuine public service. Olusi called on the youth to actively mobilize support for the party at the grassroots level, emphasizing the critical role of local governance in impacting communities positively. He stressed the need for elected officials to prioritize the needs of their constituents and make meaningful contributions to their well-being. This focus on community engagement and impactful governance served as a key message to the aspiring local leaders.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, reinforced the importance of party unity and loyalty, urging all members to support the chosen candidates. He emphasized the supremacy of the party’s decisions and stressed the need for collective effort to achieve victory. Obasa framed the local government elections as a crucial stepping stone towards securing a resounding victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, further highlighting the strategic significance of the local polls. This message resonated with the party’s overarching political strategy and underscored the importance of unity within its ranks.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the State APC Chairman, commended the party leaders and aspirants for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during the primaries. Acknowledging the party’s reconciliation efforts with aggrieved aspirants, he urged the flag bearers to continue this process and foster unity among party members. He emphasized the competitive nature of the primaries, citing the selection of 57 chairmanship candidates from a pool of 475 aspirants. Ojelabi challenged the candidates to prioritize the needs of the people in critical areas such as education, health, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment if elected. He further emphasized the party’s commitment to holding its elected officials accountable for their performance, ensuring that they deliver on their promises to the electorate.
Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, expressed confidence in the candidates’ ability to emerge victorious. He urged the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in each council area to intensify voter mobilization efforts while adhering to the electoral guidelines. Balogun stressed the importance of grassroots campaigning, particularly at the ward level, given the localized nature of the elections. He outlined a collaborative approach for the LOC, suggesting co-chairmanship by the APC LGA chairman and the council chairman in each council area. This collaborative structure was intended to facilitate effective coordination and maximize outreach to various groups, including ethnic nationalities, to ensure a broad base of support for the party.
The event culminated in the official presentation of party flags to the chairmanship and councillorship candidates. The candidates, representing diverse constituencies across Lagos State, received their flags as a symbol of their official endorsement by the party. The ceremony served as a public demonstration of the party’s united front and its commitment to supporting its representatives in the upcoming elections. The event was attended by a wide array of party chieftains, elected officials, and appointed government officials from all levels of government, underscoring the importance placed upon the local government elections. The extensive list of candidates who received flags reflected the breadth and depth of the APC’s presence across the state and its determination to maintain its dominance in local governance.
