Governor Sanwu-olu,
Ahead of the July 12 local government elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has urged chairmanship aspirants across all 57 local government areas and local council development areas (LCDAs) to adopt consensus in Saturday’s primaries.
At the party’s Stakeholders Meeting held Wednesday at its secretariat on ACME Road, Ogba, Ikeja, leaders emphasized the importance of unity and peace in the build-up to the elections.
The event, however, took an unexpected turn when the Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Kolade Alabi, collapsed shortly after delivering an address, causing a brief disruption.
The atmosphere at the venue was tense from the start, with security personnel initially barring many, including journalists, from entry.
The gates were later opened after sustained pressure from attendees.
The combination of intense heat and overcrowding likely contributed to the health incident.
Alabi slumped while seated, just moments after speaking, as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, prepared to deliver his remarks.
The meeting paused as efforts were made to revive Alabi, who was eventually taken for medical care.
Reacting to the incident, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat, who had earlier addressed the gathering, brought the meeting to an early close.
He expressed concern and empathy.
“One of us just fell. We must stop this. We must respect him, we thank God that evil did not befall us, it’s a lesson from God. We all came here with our legs because we’re healthy. God will not take our health from us,” he said.
On the party’s stance regarding the primaries, Hazmat added, “A lot has been said as much as possible, and consensus is key; that’s how we do it in our party. We are the only party in Nigeria.”
“The umbrella (the PDP) has been torn. So for that reason, we must not shame our fathers, our fathers have spoken and shared their experience with us. Let’s embrace consensus, we are one party.”
Supporting the call for consensus, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council in Lagos, pointed to the large number of aspirants as a rationale for the approach.
“It has become imperative for all of us to support and cooperate with the party. Five people cannot occupy a single seat,” Olusi said.
“We have in some places where 12 aspirants are contesting for a councillor seat. We should take things easy, talk to ourselves, and concede to one another.”
“We should seek continuous peace and progress of the party. Conceding to one another is not new in our party. We should embrace it.”
Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), also weighed in, urging key party figures including Hazmat and Obasa to encourage aspirants to embrace consensus.
“What is at stake is very much. Our Presidency is at stake. Our party’s image is at stake. Lagos is seen nationwide as a key sector.”
“In fact, don’t be surprised that other states are just waiting to see the outcome of these primaries to learn from it. So, I am conscious of that and will not let you down. We will not let the President down,” Ogala stated.
He reassured stakeholders of the committee’s transparency and adherence to party rules, noting, “Let me assure you that in carrying out this task, we have tried to be very fair. We have put integrity into place and we have been very thorough.”
On the election format, Ogala clarified that both consensus and indirect primaries were legitimate and recognized methods.
“Consensus is a clearly recognisable democratic process, just as the indirect primaries is a clearly recognisable process and direct primaries,” he explained.
Ogala further revealed that chairmanship primaries would take place at the state party secretariat for logistical reasons, while councillorship primaries would be conducted in respective wards.
He announced that 57 committees had been constituted to oversee the councillorship primaries and assured fairness. “It will be fair and open,” he said.
Only candidates and one accredited agent each will be allowed into election venues, Ogala added, warning that “the committee would disqualify any aspirant found flouting the guidelines.”
In his earlier remarks, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelahi, appealed to stakeholders to place the party’s interests above personal ambition.
