Lagos APC Flags Off Campaign, Presents Flags to Chairmanship Candidates Ahead of July 12 LG Polls

The Lagos State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially presented party flags to all its Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates ahead of the July 12 Local Government Elections across the state.

The party also expressed strong confidence in winning all elective positions in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) during the forthcoming polls.

The symbolic presentation, which marked the official flag-off of the APC campaign, took place at the party’s secretariat in Acme, Ogba, and had in attendance key party stakeholders including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

While addressing the gathering, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, declared his full support for all APC candidates. He commended party members for upholding the values and principles of progressive governance.

He urged candidates to go beyond the goal of merely winning elections and instead focus on making tangible, positive impacts in the lives of the people. He further encouraged them to emulate the enduring legacies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his time as Lagos State Governor and now as President, as well as the visionary leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

On his part, APC State Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, issued a stern charge to the candidates. He emphasized that their performance in office would be assessed annually based on the execution of their development blueprints, beyond the oversight of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He reminded the Chairmen that their Vice Chairmen are not “spare tyres” and must be treated as integral partners in governance, warning that non-performing officials may be shown the way out.

Ojelabi further advised the candidates to prioritize the needs and aspirations of their constituents, stressing that governance must no longer be “business as usual.” He urged them to mirror the initiatives of President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu across all sectors for the betterment of their respective councils.

He also thanked party members for their perseverance and commitment throughout the primary process, noting that the journey of the progressive movement dates back to 1999.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, appealed to the candidates to render selfless service upon assuming office. He reminded them that local government is the closest tier of government to the people and therefore must focus on initiating people-oriented projects.

Prince Olusi reminisced about the days under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when selfless service was the true motivation for political engagement—not selfish interests.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Campaign Committee, Babatunde Balogun, urged members of the Local Organising Committees (LOCs) in each council to immediately commence intensive ward-to-ward mobilization and community engagement, emphasizing that election victory is built at the grassroots.

The Chairman of the Electoral and Appeal Committee, Barr. Babatunde Ogala, expressed satisfaction that no aspirant took the party to court after the primaries. He also disclosed that the primary exercise recorded no violence, and that his committee received and resolved 50 appeals from the 475 aspirants who contested for Chairmanship positions.

Ogala urged the flag bearers to extend hands of fellowship to those who lost out and to adhere strictly to electoral laws throughout the campaign and election processes.

Notable party leaders present at the event included the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; former Deputy Governors Femi Pedro, Sarah Sosan, and Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former Senators Musiliu Obanikoro and Anthony Adefuye; and the Secretary of the GAC, Alhaji Mutiu Are.

The July 12 elections will be held in 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas across 377 wards in Lagos State.