The All Progressives Congress has conducted its primaries, resulting in the emergence of fifty-five chairmanship candidates for the July 12 Local Government election in Lagos State, out of the expected fifty-seven candidates. The party’s primaries took place on Saturday at the party’s Secretariat, ACME Road, Ikeja.
In what appears to be a peaceful and fair atmosphere, the candidates were selected through either consensus or voting by at least 1,539 delegates, comprising the LGA Executives of the respective 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
Primaries were not held for Yaba LCDA and Mainland LCDA due to ongoing litigation, which led to the absence of delegates.
Average of 27 delegates participated in voting to elect candidates for each council.
According to Chairman of the party’s Electoral Committee, Mr. Babatunde Ogala SAN, four chairmanship candidates emerged via consensus, while 51 others contested.
The consensus candidates, affirmed by their delegates, are Mr. Isa Jubril (Iba LCDA), Mrs. Motunrayo Gbadebo (Ijede LCDA), Mr. Rasaq Kasali (Lekki LCDA), and Mr. Azeez Kareem (Otto Awori LCDA).
Ogala declared the elected candidates, including Mr. Usman Hamzat (Ifako-Ijaiye LG), Mr. Hameed Aroyehun (Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA), Oluyemisi Rosiji (Ojokoro LCDA), Moyosore Ogunlewe (Kosofe LG), Olufemi Okeowo (Ifelodun LCDA), Olamilekan Akindipe (Ajeromi Ifelodun LG), and Suleiman Yusuf (Surulere LG).
He noted that others who emerged are Azeez Ogidan (Coker Aguda LCDA) Tola Oyedele (Agboyi-Ketu LCDA); Taoreed Taiwo (Ejigbo LCDA),Muibi Alade (Lagos Island East) Sanusi Ismail (Amuwo-Odofin LG), Muibat Rufia (Ojo LG) and Taiwo Oyekan (Lagos Island LG).
He gave the other winners as Wale Hameed (Ikorodu North LG). Samsudeen Agunbiade (Eti-Osa East LG); Humpey Babatunde (Badadry); Sura Animashaun (Epe LG); Adebayo Olasoju (Isolo LCDA); and Sesan Olowa (Ibeju-Lekki LCDA).
Wale Alomo (Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA); Rauf Ibrahim (Badagry West LCDA); Adedayo Ladega (Ikorodu LG); Rasak Oloyede (Oriade LCDA); Abiodun Akinola (Orile Agege LCDA) and Lateef Ashimin (Somolu),Bolanle Bada (Ikosi-Isheri LCDA); Kehinde Oloyede (Oshodi-Isolo LG); and Sunday Benson (Imota LCDA); and Kazeem Sulaiman (Ikorodu West LCDA) were also announced as winners.
Shobanjo Idowu (Apapa); Peter Ajose (Olorunda LCDA); Monsuru Ismail (Eredo LCDA); Opeyemi Akindele (Mosan Okunola LCDA), Abiodun Agbaje (Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA); Ibrahim Akinpelu (Alimosho LG); and Jimoh Olawale (Apapa Iganmu), Bukola Omofe (Bariga LCDA); Tunbosun Aruwe (Mushin LG); Olusegun Odunmbaku (Ojodu); Idris Balogun (Egbe- Idimu); Lasisi Akinsanya (Ikotun-Igando LCDA); Akeem Dauda (Ikeja LG) and Lawal Jakande (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA) also emerged.
Other elected party flag bearers are Bola Oladunjoye (Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA);Moyo Adebanjo (Onigbongbo LCDA); Adeola Sheriff (Eti-Osa LCDA), Babatunde Azeez (Agege LG); and Aminat Alabi (Iru/Victoria Island LCDA)Daniel Olufemi (Itire Ikate LCDA) and Jimoh Ishola declared winners for Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA.
Ogala acknowledged potential human errors, encouraging aggrieved aspirants to exercise their right to appeal following the exercise.
He noted that the committee’s decision could be overturned by the APC Appeal Committee if presented with factual evidence.
Ogala commended delegates for their patience and cooperation, stating that the exercise was transparent and conducted in the party’s best interest.
The councillorship primaries also took place across various wards in the state.
Reacting to the APC Chairmanship primaries, The ranking member of the House of Representatives for Ikeja Federal Constituency, Rt Hon James Abiodun Faleke also voiced his approval of the process and lauded the B.K. Ogala SAN led Electoral Committee for organizing the most credible, free and fair local governments primaries witnessed in the party.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat commended the aspirants on their orderliness and advocated for a peaceful process that would culminate in the selection of candidates.
While urging the aspirants to exhibit sportsmanship, Dr. Hamzat emphasized that the APC is the only political party with relevance in the state, as other parties have been ineffective for a long time.
He noted that the transparency of the process serves as a benchmark for other states in the federation.
