The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has screened 540 candidates, representing 27 aspirants from each of the state’s 20 Local Government Areas, ahead of its local government ward congress scheduled to hold on Saturday.
The screening exercise was conducted at the party’s state secretariat in Ogba, Lagos, with members of the LGA Ward Congress Committee supervising the process as part of preparations for the internal party election.
Addressing stakeholders on Friday, Chairman of the LGA Ward Congress Committee, Nungji Salama, said the screening exercise proceeded smoothly and stressed that consensus arrangements reached among stakeholders would be respected.
“There is consensus if people agree. They will only need to ratify it,” Salama said, clarifying that he did not announce the disqualification of any candidates. “You will see the outcome when the results are pasted.”
He disclosed that the list of qualified candidates would be published after the screening, noting that only those cleared would participate in the congress. Salama also urged aspirants who might not be successful to remain loyal to the party.
“For those that didn’t qualify, there is always another time. Let us do it without any rancour,” he said, appealing for unity and cooperation among party members.
Salama described Lagos State as a pacesetter within the party, explaining that committee members were in the state to observe best practices while carrying out their assignment in accordance with party guidelines. He commended the state leadership for what he described as a seamless preparatory process.
Earlier, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, said the screening exercise represented the final stage of preparations for the local government congress.
“We started the process of the screening and tomorrow we are rounding off in preparation for the local government congress,” he said.
Ojelabi reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency in its internal democratic processes, noting that the APC routinely invites the Independent National Electoral Commission and members of the media to observe its congresses.
He emphasised the importance of strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly for individuals expected to oversee party structures at the local government level.
“The content of the Electoral Act is very critical, so those who are going to be in charge at the LGA must be properly briefed,” Ojelabi said.
Congratulating aspirants ahead of the congress, he described election into party offices as a call to service and urged candidates to assess their readiness to serve effectively at the grassroots level. He expressed confidence that those elected would perform creditably and contribute to strengthening the party.
The local government congress is expected to produce executive officers across the state’s local government and ward structures as part of the party’s internal democratic process in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
