With the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State fast approaching, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates to actively campaign and earn the trust of the electorate, saying the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) will uphold a fair and transparent process.
Speaking on Tuesday during the APC Stakeholders’ Special Engagement with Mr. Governor in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu made it clear that victory at the polls would depend on candidates’ ability to connect with residents through their track records, manifestos, and grassroots engagements.
“On July 12, 2025, we will vote, and we expect a transparent process, where votes are counted and results announced. As council chairmen, you will have the responsibility of governance, and it’s crucial that you engage with citizens, address their concerns, and deliver on your promises,” the governor said.
He urged candidates to campaign vigorously, knock on doors, and win the confidence of voters in their wards, adding that the party’s success hinges on its representatives’ ability to deliver and remain close to the people.
Conspicuously absent from the meeting was Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, whose decade-long tenure was, however, celebrated in a separate plenary session of the Assembly.
Also speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, issued a stern warning to the candidates, stating that any elected council chairman found residing outside their constituency would be sanctioned.
Ojelabi emphasised that physical presence in their local government areas is non-negotiable for effective service delivery. “You must live among the people to understand and address their needs. Serving the people requires accessibility, commitment, and presence,” he said.
He added that council chairmen must align their development plans with those of the state government, particularly in key sectors such as education, health, and agriculture, to ensure residents receive the dividends of democracy.
Meanwhile, at the Lagos Assembly, tributes poured in for Speaker Mudashiru Obasa as lawmakers marked his 10th year as Speaker. During the plenary, member Oladipo Ajomale proposed the creation of a Legislative Institute and annual awards to honour Obasa’s contributions.
Ajomale noted that such an institute would help cultivate effective legislative leaders and prepare new members for their responsibilities. “Creating this institute would allow us to create better followers, better leaders, people like the speaker,” he said.
In response, Obasa expressed gratitude to God, his parents, President Bola Tinubu, and the people of Agege, crediting them for his political journey and enduring leadership.
