Chairmanship candidates for four local government areas in Lagos State have emerged at the ongoing primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with all selections made through a consensus process.
Isa Jubril was chosen as the candidate for Iba LCDA, Motunrayo Gbadebo for Ijede LCDA, Rasaq Kasali for Lekki LCDA, and Azeez Kareem for Otto Awori LCDA. These candidates were all affirmed by their respective delegates, marking a smooth and orderly start to the local government primaries.
As of the time of reporting, voting was still underway at the Ikeja party secretariat for other council areas, where delegates are expected to choose candidates in contested races.
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, addressed the delegates ahead of voting, urging a peaceful and orderly process. “The entire country is watching us,” Hamzat reminded the crowd, emphasizing the significance of the event. “Our president, who is our leader and father, is monitoring us from Abuja. This is his state, and he takes grassroots participation very seriously.”
He further stressed that the exercise should be conducted with calm and patience. “Let’s ensure this process is peaceful, quick, and successful. In Lagos, it is the APC that remains strong, while the opposition parties are fragmented. We must not play into the hands of outsiders,” Hamzat added.
Earlier, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, Chairman of the Lagos APC Electoral Committee, outlined the voting modalities, confirming that delegates from the councils with consensus candidates would affirm their selections before proceeding to councils with multiple aspirants. Ogala assured the delegates that the accreditation process had been successfully completed.
Some local councils had already resolved their selection internally, and delegates were given the opportunity to affirm their candidates before leaving the venue to prevent overcrowding. Ogala also clarified that any aspirants wishing to withdraw from the process were free to do so.
As the primaries continue, Lagosians and political observers alike await the results of contested races in other local government areas, with the atmosphere charged with anticipation for the final slate of candidates.
