The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Tuesday officially presented party flags to its 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship candidates ahead of the July 12 Local Government Elections. The flag-off ceremony, which also marked the commencement of the party’s grassroots campaign, was held at the APC State Secretariat in Ogba.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, assured the candidates of government’s support, stressing the significance of the exercise.
“This is not just an official flag-off. It symbolises the beginning of hard work and dedication. We are solidly behind every aspirant. Let us remember our values—we are known for being a progressive movement,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The event witnessed the presence of key party stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, who urged the youth to rise to the task of leadership and service.
“Many come into politics for money. That is wrong. We need those who genuinely want to serve. The youth must mobilise street by street and work to promote the party’s name,” Olusi charged.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, echoed party supremacy, calling on members to stand by all selected candidates.
“This election is a crucial testing ground for the 2027 general elections and a stepping stone to return President Bola Tinubu with massive votes,” Obasa declared.
Presenting the flags to the candidates alongside other leaders, APC State Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi commended the peaceful conduct of party primaries, revealing that 475 aspirants contested for chairmanship tickets, but only 57 emerged.
He tasked the flag bearers to focus on delivering basic services in health, education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment, stressing that their performance would be closely monitored.
“This is a real election. Go into every ward, knock on doors, win hearts and votes,” he said.
Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, urging rigorous mobilisation by local organising committees (LOCs). He cautioned that campaigns must not exceed the June 9 deadline as stipulated in the electoral guidelines.
The LOCs in each council, he said, should be co-chaired by APC LGA chairmen and council chairpersons and must collaborate with various community and ethnic groups for a wide voter reach.
Candidates from across all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas received party flags at the ceremony. Also presented were flags to vice chairmanship and councillorship candidates.
The well-attended event brought together party chieftains, elected officials, and grassroots organisers from across the state.