Lagos APC screens 27 aspirants across 20 LGAs ahead of congress

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state has screened 27 aspirants from each of the 20 local government areas (LGA) in the state ahead of its local government congress scheduled to hold tomorrow.

The screening exercise took place at the APC State Secretariat in Ogba, Lagos, with members of the LGA Ward Congress Committee overseeing the process.

Chairman of the LGA Ward Congress Committee, Barrister Mungji B. Salama, said the exercise was conducted smoothly and emphasised that consensus arrangements would be respected where stakeholders agreed.

“There is a consensus if people agree. They will only need to ratify it,” Salama said, clarifying that he did not announce the disqualification of any aspirant. “You will see the outcome when the results are pasted.”

He noted that the list of qualified candidates would be published after the screening and that those cleared would participate in the congress. According to him, aspirants who do not make the list should remain committed to the party.

“For those who didn’t qualify, there is always another time. Let us do it without any rancour,” he urged, appealing for unity and cooperation among party members.

Salama described Lagos as a “pacesetter,” adding that members of the committee were in the state to learn and carry out their assignment in line with party guidelines. He commended the state leadership for what he described as a smooth preparatory process.

In his opening remarks, Lagos APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said the screening marked the final stage of preparations for the LGA congress.

“We started the process of the screening, and tomorrow we are rounding off in preparation for the local government congress,” he said.

Ojelabi stated that the APC remains committed to transparency in its internal processes, claiming it is the only political party that invites the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the press to observe its congresses.

He stressed the importance of compliance with the Electoral Act, particularly for those who would oversee party structures at the LGA level.

“The content of the Electoral Act is very critical, so those who are going to be in charge at the LGA must be properly briefed,” he said.

Congratulating aspirants ahead of the congress, Ojelabi described election into party offices as a call to service.

“By this time tomorrow, if you are elected, know that it is a call to service. Your election is for you to make an impact and contribute to the growth of the party,” he said.

He urged aspirants to assess their capacity to serve effectively at the grassroots level, expressing confidence that those elected would perform credibly.

The LGA congress is expected to produce executive officers across the state’s local government and ward structures as part of the party’s internal democratic process.