Lagos – Hobnob News
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday formally launched its campaign for the upcoming July 12 local government elections, presenting flags to a total of 433 party candidates, comprising 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship aspirants.
The event, held at the APC Secretariat in Ogba, also marked the official flag-off of the party’s campaign across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, assured the candidates of government’s unwavering support in their bid to secure victory at the polls.
“This flag-off is not just ceremonial; it represents the beginning of serious work and commitment to deliver good governance at the grassroots. We are fully behind every candidate, and by God’s grace, we will succeed,” the governor’s message read.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the APC remains committed to its progressive ideology and the legacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging candidates and party members to focus on service delivery and mobilization.
Party Leaders Rally Behind Candidates
Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, encouraged the candidates to prioritize the people’s welfare when elected, cautioning against self-serving politics.
“Politics should be about community service, not a rush for wealth. Those who didn’t get the ticket should remain patient—opportunities will come again,” Olusi noted.
He called on party youths to mobilize voters at the grassroots by forming campaign clusters in streets and wards, highlighting the importance of local government as a pillar of development.
Also speaking, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, reaffirmed party supremacy and called for unity within the APC.
“The party’s decision is final. We must stand with our candidates and work together to win. This election is a litmus test for 2027 when we’ll return President Tinubu with overwhelming support,” he stated.
APC Chairman and Campaign Council Speak
Presenting flags to the candidates, the APC Lagos Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended aspirants and stakeholders for a peaceful primary process. He acknowledged reconciliation efforts within the party and urged flag-bearers to continue engaging their former opponents.
Out of 475 aspirants who vied for chairmanship positions, only 57 were nominated, Ojelabi revealed. He charged the candidates to prioritize education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth development if elected.
“This is a real election. We must go all out—door-to-door, ward-by-ward. We are confident in our candidates’ victory,” Ojelabi added.
Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, welcomed candidates and tasked the Local Organising Committees (LOCs) in each council area to commence full-scale mobilisation.
Balogun warned against violating the June 9 campaign deadline as stipulated in the electoral guidelines, urging the LOCs to collaborate with local APC and council leaders for broader outreach.
“We must work with ethnic and community-based groups to ensure resounding victory. This election is won at the grassroots,” Balogun noted.
Opposition Raises Alarm Over Election Guidelines
Meanwhile, Ayodele Adio, the Youth Party’s candidate for Eti Osa Local Government, has accused the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) of undermining the integrity of the election process.
Adio claimed that LASIEC released a “misleading polling guide” just weeks before the election, leaving political parties with only a few days to submit names of polling agents, despite major changes to polling unit structures.
“This is not mere negligence—it’s a calculated attempt to sabotage free and fair elections,” Adio alleged in a statement made available to Hobnob News.
He further criticized the vague naming of polling locations, such as “Itedo land” and “Ikate land,” without specific addresses or landmarks, warning that such ambiguity could lead to voter confusion and disenfranchisement.
Attempts to reach LASIEC spokesperson, Tope Ojo, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond as of the time of publication.
