The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially launched its campaign for the upcoming July 12 local government elections on Tuesday, with a grand ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Acme, Ikeja.
The event marked the formal presentation of flags to all 114 Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates, as well as 376 councillorship aspirants across the state.
The atmosphere at the APC secretariat was charged with enthusiasm and colour, as party loyalists, aspirants, and leaders turned out in large numbers. Dressed in coordinated uniforms and APC-branded attire, candidates and supporters displayed solidarity, while waving brooms — the symbol of the party — in a show of unity and campaign readiness.
In a strong show of support, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, charged all candidates to remain committed to their campaign promises.
He reassured them of the state government’s full backing and urged them to focus on grassroots development and good governance if elected.
“This flag-off is not just a ceremonial event; it signals the beginning of tireless dedication to service. We are behind you all. As a party founded on progressive ideals, our mission extends beyond electoral victory — we must transform lives and honour our President’s legacy,” the governor’s message read.
Chairman of the Lagos APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, in his address, praised party members for conducting themselves peacefully during the primary elections. He disclosed that out of 475 aspirants who contested for chairmanship slots, only 57 eventually emerged, calling on candidates to continue reconciliation efforts and engage those who lost out.
He further reminded the flag bearers that winning the people’s trust should be their primary goal, urging them to prioritize critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth empowerment when they assume office. “Our work does not end with elections; we will continue to monitor the performance of every elected official,” Ojelabi warned.
The Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, who also spoke at the event, emphasized the importance of strict compliance with the campaign schedule, noting that no campaign activities should exceed the June 9 deadline.
He advised Local Government Campaign Committees (LOCs) to commence voter mobilisation immediately and work closely with ethnic groups and stakeholders in their communities.
In a passionate appeal, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, urged unity among party members, especially those who were unsuccessful in the primaries. “The July 12 council election is a precursor to the 2027 general elections. We cannot afford internal division. The party’s supremacy must be respected,” he said.
Also present were key figures from the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), led by its Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, along with Alhaji Mutiu Are, Princess Sarah Sosan, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. They joined other notable party members, including Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
Prince Olusi called on candidates to embrace public service with sincerity, lamenting the trend of self-serving individuals in politics. “Serving the people must take precedence over personal gain. Local government is the bedrock of governance, and you must impact your communities meaningfully,” he advised.
Security was effectively managed by the Lagos Police Command, ensuring orderliness and restricting access to the premises to only authorised persons.
Notable Candidates Who Received APC Flags: Some of the chairmanship flag recipients included:
Agege – Azeez Babatunde
Orile-Agege – Idowu Akinola
Alimosho – Johnson Akinpelu
Mosan Okunola – Adunni Akindele
Ayobo-Ipaja – Lukman Abiodun
Agbado Oke-Odo – Abiodun Ejigbadero
Egbe-Idimu – Idris Balogun
Other notable names were:
Ikeja – Akeem Dauda
Ojodu – Segun Odunmbaku
Oshodi – Kehinde Oloyede-Almaroof
Isolo – Adebayo Olasoju
Ojo – Muhibat Adeyemi
Eti-Osa – Adeola Adetoro
Ikoyi-Obalende – Bola Oladunjoye
Epe – Surah Animashaun
Ikorodu Central – Adedayo Ladega
Kosofe – Moyo Ogunlewe
Somolu – Lateef Ashimi
A comprehensive list of all flag recipients was announced at the event, reflecting the APC’s wide representation across Lagos State’s 57 local council areas and LCDAs.
As the countdown to July 12 begins, Lagos APC has officially signaled its preparedness, fielding candidates it believes are equipped to deliver results at the grassroots level and further solidify the party’s dominance in the state.