1
LAGOS – The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for the Ward and Local Government Area (LGA) Congresses for Lagos State has screened 540 candidates for various offices in each of the 20 local government areas of the state.
The Chairman of the 5-man APC screening Committee, Mr Nungjab Salama, while addressing journalists at the party’s state secretariat yesterday, noted that the team was prepared to conduct a seamless congress.
He described Lagos State as a pace setter, stressing that the committee has made adequate arrangements for a rancor-free exercise across the 20 LGAs.
Salama said, “We’re delighted to be here, really, Lagos is a pacesetter. We’re privileged to be here on this assignment. This is the state of Mr. President.
“Today’s exercise is very germane for the success of tomorrow’s exercise. We appreciate all the committees set up here to assist in one way of the other for the smooth running of the Congress.
“We have completed the ward congress successfully without any problem. Now we’re starting processes leading to the LGA holding tomorrow.
“We thank all aspirants for giving themselves to serve our great party.
“We want everyone to serve diligently for the peace and progress of our party. We want to carry out this next exercise in a peaceful atmosphere without any rancor,” the chairman said.
He said that the list of the screened candidates would be pasted, urging those who failed to emerge to be sportsmen, saying “there will be another time. I hope there will be no rancor and problems”.
Salama noted that 27 executives would emerge in each of the local government areas.
“There’ll be consensus. If people agree unanimously, we’ll just go and ratify it,” he said
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the Lagos State APC Chairman, in his welcome address applauded the committee, stressing that the assignment was very important in deepening democracy and strengthening the party.
“We cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices. Leaving your homes all to serve the party. God will reward you accordingly.
He also appreciated the state technical committee for preparing the ground for the national officers saddled with the responsibility of conducting the congress.
“As a party here, we don’t have the right to conduct the Congress because we’re an interested party.
“We thank this very eminent personality sent by the national secretariat to conduct this exercise in Lagos State,” he added.
Ojelabi, who urged the party leaders in the local government level to deepen their knowledge in the content of the newly assented Amended Electoral Act, and called on the successful candidates to see their emergence as a call to service.
“It’s a call to service for you to deepen our democracy to make an impact in strengthening and mobilising to drive our party.
“It’s not going to be business as usual. You’re offering yourselves to serve. Be prepared, you must work assiduously for the success of our party.
“You cannot work in isolation, the leadership is very critical in defending our party. The youth cannot be left behind and the power of the women cannot be ignored.
“Those of you who want to represent us at the local government level must show capacity and be prepared for the job,” he said.
He however, expressed confidence in the ability of the executive committees billed to emerge in each of the 20 LGAs on Saturday, in driving the party well.
The meeting was attended by party leaders including the Secretary to the State Government. Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro among others.
