All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State announced consensus chairmanship candidates for four Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) during its ongoing primaries at the party secretariat in Ikeja, ahead of the July 12 local government elections. The candidates, affirmed by delegates, are Isa Jubril for Iba LCDA, Mrs. Motunrayo Gbadebo for Ijede LCDA, Rasaq Kasali for Lekki LCDA, and Azeez Kareem for Otto Awori LCDA, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria. The consensus approach, advocated by APC leaders like Tajudeen Olusi, aimed to foster unity and reduce tensions, with voting for other council areas still underway.
The primaries, overseen by a committee led by Babatunde Ogala (SAN), followed a rigorous screening of 470 aspirants, clearing 432 to contest across 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 LCDAs. Of these, 411 were male and 59 female, with Amuwo-Odofin and Shomolu having the highest number of aspirants at 20 and 18, respectively. Notable withdrawals included Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, reportedly at President Bola Tinubu’s urging. Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat urged peaceful conduct, emphasizing the national spotlight on the process. Security was tight, with police, NSCDC, and DSS operatives ensuring order.
X posts, including @MobilePunch and @Lagosreporters_, celebrated the consensus selections, with @ValiantNig noting Gbadebo and Jubril as incumbents running unopposed. However, tensions surfaced in areas like Ojokoro, where aspirants protested alleged impositions, demanding transparent primaries. The APC’s strategy, blending consensus and indirect primaries with 1,539 delegates, aims to maintain its dominance in Lagos, where it faces minimal opposition, but internal disputes could challenge party cohesion as the July polls approach.
Interesting how the APC chose consensus candidates. Will this improve party unity or create divisions? What do you think?
I dont think consensus candidates are fair. What about democracy? Let the people decide! #APCPrimaries #LagosPolitics
I cant believe the APC is still going with consensus candidates. Its like they dont trust their own members to vote!
I cant believe theyre still doing consensus candidates in this day and age. Wheres the democracy in that?
I dont understand why we need consensus candidates. Let the voters decide! Democracy should be about choice, not predetermined candidates.