The incumbent Executive Chairman Ikeja Local Government, Hon (Dr.) Mojeed Alabi Balogun has emerged as the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship candidate for the council for the Lagos Council Elections scheduled by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for 24th July 2021.
The Council Chairman who enjoyed massive support of both party leadership and members polled a total of 4, 443 to beat his only contestant Hon Lolade Shonibare a former Leader Ikeja Legislative Council who polled a total of 249 votes across the six wards of Ikeja.
The ward breakdown recorded were Ward A (Orile-Ikeja) Balogun 906 while Shonibare didn’t record any vote, Ward B (Alade) Balogun recorded 743 and Shonibare 35, Ward C (Onilekere) Balogun 409 while Shonibare had 40, Ward D (Anifowoshe) Balogun 854 while Shonibare polled 98, Ward E (Seriki Aro) Balogun polled 865 and Shonibare got five votes and Ward F (Alausa) Balogun polled 666 and Shonibare scored 71 votes.
The Council Chairman in a phone chat on Sunday morning with Lagos Panorama, expressed his gratitude to the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu other leaders and members of the party in Ikeja.
Hon Balogun averred that “It was a transparent process which gave everyone the opportunity to exercise their franchise, to elect candidate of their choice in a very peaceful, fair election. I think that’s the beauty of democracy”.
“Security wise and the good conduct of party members, it all went well in all the six wards in Ikeja, in fact I am highly impressed with the process. The conduct of APC primaries in Ikeja is a good example for others to follow”.
“I am using this opportunity to thank our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because being an Ikeja leader, he has been preaching peace, transparency and tranquility. Every member demonstrated that for him yesterday as a sign of honour in all the ward venues” the engineer turned politician concluded.
In the same vein Hon Lolade Shonibare in his response to the outcome of the primaries said “elections have come and gone; life goes on”
He however concluded philosophically “When people do not believe that you can make it, believe in yourself and move on, you’ll surely make it” the former leader Ikeja Legislative Council stated.
Meanwhile, all the councillorship aspirants in the six wards of Ikeja were returned unopposed. Ward A has Comrade Olaniyi Olowolagba, Ward B Hon Idris Hassan, Ward C Hon Ayotunde Adenuga, Ward D Hon Benjamin Osundairo, Ward E Hon Ganiyu Oladeji and Ward F Hon Basheer Nurudeen.
The Vice-Chairman APC Lagos West, Chief Funso Ologunde who spoke with Lagos Panorama and journalists at the Seriki-Aro Ward E on the process of the intraparty democracy said “accreditation started on time, as early as 9 am, members were already here by 7-8am, the turnout as you can see is very impressive with over 600 members already here and several others are still doing accreditation at the entrance”.
“Those who already accredited are collecting their ballot paper and casting their votes for aspirant of their choice in a peaceful and transparent atmosphere” averred the party chieftain.
The Chairman APC Ikeja LGA Caretaker Committee, Alhaji Dally Adeokun expressed his appreciation to all party leaders and members for coordinating themselves in the most civil and peaceful manner across the six wards of Ikeja throughout the conduct of the party primaries, describing the activity as the most peaceful and transparent across the state.
