The Lagos APC on Tuesday officially presented party flags to its 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship candidates for the 12 July Local Government Elections.
The party also launched its campaign for the council at an event held at the APC State Secretariat, Ogba.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, assuring the candidates of the government’s support.
“The love I have for this party is unquantifiable. I am with all the candidates; this is not just an official flag-off, it symbolises the beginning of hard work and dedication.
“We are solidly behind every aspirant, we are in this together, and all will be successful by God’s grace.
“As we raise these flags today, we are proud and happy. Let us remember our values and principles; we are known for being a progressive movement.
“We are not only here to win an election, we are here to change the lives of our people and continue the legacy of our President.
“We must deliver all our promises to the people. Do all you can as party faithful to ensure victory for this party,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Speaking, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), said: “Youths should be on stage now and do the work of the party, because at the moment, you are not yet at the forefront.
“This is an opportunity for you to promote the name of our party. It is sad today that those looking for money are many in politics, and not people who really want to serve.
“The love of our community and society should be paramount to us. Those who vied for the ticket but could not get it should be patient because there is still time, and tomorrow,” Olusi said.
He urged the youth to divide themselves into groups and move into different streets to mobilise support for the party.
Olusi said grassroots governance is critical, hence the need for office holders at the local government level to take care of the people and make a positive impact.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who noted that everyone must accept the decisions of the party at all times, urged all to support party candidates.
“The party is supreme; we must stand by the decision of the party. We must obey the party and support all our candidates. We must not fight amongst ourselves.
“The election is a testing ground to return President Bola Tinubu in 2027 with a large majority,” Obasa said.
Handing over the flags to candidates alongside other leaders, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, State APC Chairman, applauded party leaders and aspirants for ensuring peace before, during, and after the primaries.
Speaking, the Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, who welcomed the candidates, expressed confidence that all the flag bearers would be victorious at the polls.
Balogun, who urged the party’s campaign Local Organising Committee (LOC) in each council area to start rigorous mobilisation of voters, however, cautioned that no campaign should exceed the 9 June deadline stipulated in the electoral guidelines.
“This election is local and at the grassroots, so we need to campaign vigorously at the ward level. There is no limit to the campaign. Let the LOC work tirelessly to ensure victory in the election,” he said.