As the countdown to the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State begins, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, has charged chairmanship candidates of the party to take performance seriously, stressing that only those who deliver on their mandate will be considered for a second term in office.

Speaking on Tuesday at the official flag-off of the APC’s council election campaign at the party’s secretariat in Acme, Ogba, Ojelabi presented party flags to the 57 chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates, urging them to work hard and justify the confidence reposed in them by the party.

“You have been given the ticket to contribute your quota to the development of the state. If you perform very well, you will be considered for another term in office,” he said. “In whatever you do, carry your vice chairmen along; they are not spare tires.”

Ojelabi also advised the candidates to prioritise reconciliation and unity within the party to ensure a smooth path to victory. He commended party leaders for their role in uniting aggrieved members and urged the candidates to extend a hand of fellowship to former aspirants.

“You need to campaign rigorously till July 9, when the campaign ends.
“The local organising committee is to be co-chaired by both the council chairman and LGA party chairman. It is to be co-chaired for the effectiveness of the campaign. The ward must be massively energised since the election is taking place on July 12 while the campaign ends on July 9; therefore, we must criss-cross all the wards of the council, he said.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots governance, Ojelabi reminded the candidates that they are expected to replicate the achievements of President Bola Tinubu at the federal level and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the state level within their local councils.

“This is the real election,” he said. “Respect your leaders, work with your party chairmen, and ensure aggressive canvassing during the campaign period.”

Chairman of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Tunde Balogun, also emphasized the importance of mobilization at the grassroots. He urged Local Organising Committees (LOCs) to begin full-scale campaigning immediately and maintain the momentum until the campaign ends on July 9.

“After receiving the party flag, you are now officially our flagbearers. Campaign rigorously and ensure every ward is fully covered,” Balogun said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, tasked the candidates to approach the opportunity with a sense of duty, urging them to outperform previous generations in grassroots mobilisation and public service.

“This is your chance to serve the people and represent the party honourably. Don’t take it for granted,” he said.

“This is a rare opportunity given to you to serve the people. I implore you to make use of this opportunity to be a good ambassador of the party. Let the love of the party, the state, and the country be paramount in our hearts.”

On his part, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, called for loyalty to the party and unity among stakeholders. He emphasised that the party’s decision must take precedence over personal ambition.

“This is about party supremacy, not individual interest. Let’s support our candidates wholeheartedly as we prepare for a bigger victory in 2027,” Obasa stated.

It had in attendance members of the state executive council, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), leaders of the party from the three senatorial districts and the Southwest zone, state party and ward executives, and members of the party from across the state.