Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and other key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege have urged aggrieved members of the party to embrace unity and reconciliation as the July 12 local government elections draw near.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting and formal presentation of APC candidates at the Central Primary School, Agege, on Sunday, Obasa appealed for calm among members dissatisfied with the outcomes of the recent primaries, emphasizing that discontent should not be allowed to fracture the party.
“Everyone has the right to express dissatisfaction, but not to destroy the house,” Obasa said. “The positions contested were not family titles. We must remain united and loyal to the party’s decision.”
He recounted past internal challenges, particularly in selecting a councillor in his own ward, and encouraged patience and confidence in party leadership. “We can’t all be leaders at once. Let us rally around those chosen and prepare for greater victories ahead.”
Obasa called on party faithful to reach out to aggrieved members and bring them back into the fold, describing the upcoming polls as a test of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
“This is just a rehearsal. If we can increase our votes now, we can be confident about 2027,” he said, dismissing allegations of candidate imposition and praising the peaceful conduct of the primaries in Agege.
Agege Local Government Chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi, echoed the call for reconciliation and urged members to mobilise support for the APC’s candidates.
“This gathering is to formally present our candidates and encourage massive voter mobilisation. We must not repeat the mistakes of the last election,” Egunjobi said.
Responding to criticism of Obasa’s son contesting in the polls, Egunjobi defended the candidate’s right to run. “He is well-read and constitutionally eligible. Nepotism claims don’t hold water when many critics are children of former officials themselves.”
Orile Agege LCDA Chairman, Johnson Sunday Babatunde, also appealed to members to set aside grievances. He urged humility from winners and sportsmanship from those who lost, adding that the party would seek ways to compensate those who stepped down during the primaries.
Babatunde highlighted recent economic signs, such as a drop in rice prices, as evidence that national recovery is underway and called on the public to stay the course with the APC.
Also in attendance, Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment, Afolabi Ayantayo, rejected claims of imposed candidacies, affirming the primaries followed party procedures.
“With this kind of turnout, it’s clear the people are aligned behind our candidates,” Ayantayo said.
The APC leaders collectively reiterated that party cohesion remains the key to electoral success and urged all stakeholders to put the party’s interest first.
