Ahead of the Lagos State Local Government elections in July, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will adopt a consensus approach for selecting candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions.
EepInsights gathered that this decision aims to prevent conflict and maintain unity within the party as it prepares for the elections.
In a statement, the party explained that the use of consensus would help avoid a contentious primary process, with over 400 aspirants seeking election across the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in the state.
APC leaders believe that the consensus approach will ensure smooth elections and strengthen the party’s position in the upcoming polls.
The announcement was made during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting attended by key party figures, including Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat, Speaker of the House of Assembly Mudasiru Obasa, and Senator Oluranti Adebule.
Dr. Hazmat emphasized that consensus was not new to the APC, urging aspirants to make necessary concessions to allow the best candidates to emerge.
On his part, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Tajudeen Olusi, highlighted that with over 500 chairmanship aspirants, the consensus process would be essential to narrowing down the candidates and ensuring peace within the party.
Also, Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Babatunde Ogala, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a fair and transparent process, noting that while indirect primaries are the standard procedure, consensus would simplify the task for the party, ensuring unity heading into the July 12 elections.
Ogala also announced that chairmanship primaries would be held at the state party secretariat, while councillorship primaries would take place in various wards.
He warned that only aspirants with an agent would be allowed into the election venues, and any violation of the guidelines would lead to disqualification.
In his closing remarks, APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi urged all party members to prioritize the collective interest of the APC over individual ambitions, stressing that unity and cooperation were essential for success in the upcoming elections.
