The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the ward and local government area (LGA) Congresses in Lagos State, on Friday, said it screened no fewer than 540 aspirants for various offices across the 20 local government areas.

Speaking with journalists after a party stakeholders’ meeting in Ikeja, the chairman of the five-man APC screening committee, Nungji Salama, said the team was ready to conduct a seamless congress.

Describing the state as a pace-setter, Mr Salama said the committee had made adequate arrangements for a rancour-free exercise across the 20 LGAs.

Mr Salama said: “Today’s exercise is very germane to the success of tomorrow’s exercise.

“We appreciate all the committees set up here to assist in one way or the other for the smooth running of the congress.

“We have successfully conducted the ward congress without any problem. Now, we are starting the processes leading to the LGA congress holding tomorrow.

“We thank all aspirants for offering themselves to serve our great party.

“We want all to serve diligently for the peace and progress of our party. We want to carry out this next exercise in a peaceful atmosphere without any rancour.”

He said the list of screened candidates would be pasted, urging those who did not emerge to be sportsmanlike.

“There will be another time. I hope there will be no rancour and problems,” he added.

Mr Salama explained that 27 executives would emerge in each of the local government areas.

“There are consensus arrangements. If people agree unanimously, we will just go and ratify it,” he said.

In his welcome address, the state APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, applauded the committee, saying the assignment was critical to deepening democracy and strengthening the party.

“We cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices, leaving your homes to serve the party. God will reward you accordingly.

“We also appreciate the state technical committee for preparing the ground for the national officers saddled with the responsibility of conducting the congress.

“We, as a party here, do not have the right to conduct the congress because we are an interested party.

“We thank this very eminent personality sent by the national secretariat to conduct this exercise in Lagos State,” he said.

Mr Ojelabi urged party leaders at the local government level to deepen their knowledge of the newly assented amended Electoral Act and called on successful candidates to see their emergence as a call to service.

“It is a call to service for you to deepen our democracy and make an impact in strengthening and mobilising to drive our party.

“It is not going to be business as usual. You are offering yourselves to serve. Be prepared; you must work assiduously for the success of our party.

“You cannot work in isolation. Leadership is very critical in defending our party. The youth cannot be left behind and the power of women cannot be ignored.

“Those of you who want to represent us at the local government level must show capacity and be prepared for the job,” he said.

He expressed optimism that  the executive committees expected to emerge in each of the 20 LGAs would effectively drive the party.

The meeting was attended by party leaders, including the secretary to the state government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, and  the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Lawal Pedro.

As of the time of filing this report, the list of screened candidates in each of the 20 LGAs had yet to be pasted at the party secretariat. 

(NAN)