Bashir, Balogun seek support on registration, revalidation exercise

The Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Membership Registration in Lagos, Dr. Mohammed Bashir and Chairman, Lagos State Caretaker Committee, Chief Tunde Balogun, has urged the party’s stakeholders in the state to co-operate with the committee to achieve success in the membership registration exercise scheduled to commence on February 9.

Bashir, who spoke at the party’s secretariat at Acme in Ikeja, Lagos, while addressing the stakeholders ahead of the commencement of the exercise, yesterday, said the registration exercise was a national assignment, which must not fail.

According to him: “It is to bring into the fold new members who have an interest in joining the party from the grassroots.”

Bashir, therefore, charged the stakeholders to do the right thing by mobilising interested people in their various wards and local councils to register with the party, adding that all efforts should be geared towards the success of the exercise, adding: “We will ensure due process during the exercise because the interest of the party supersedes the interest of an individual.

“APC has its root from Lagos and we will treat all stakeholders equally and fairly. The rules and guidelines will be dictated by this registration committee and we will need the stakeholders to guide us in their various wards and local councils.”

Balogun, in his part, said necessary arrangement, including security, had been put in place to ensure the safety of life during the exercise.

The caretaker committee chairman, who assured the stakeholders of seamless, transparent and all-inclusive registration exercise, said there had been apprehension from the members on how the exercise would go, saying that it had brought some controversies within the party.

“I can assure you that nobody will be sidelined. I assure that no stakeholder or member will be denied to participate in the exercise,” said Balogun.

He, therefore, urged those who want to join APC from other political parties to utilise the opportunity created by the registration exercise.

However, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Mr. James Faleke queried why existing party members should be asked to re-register instead of revalidating their membership, citing the re-registering of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Faleke said column for revalidation of existing members was missing on the party’s membership registration form, saying that there should be provision for revalidation.

Also, a Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Jude Idimogwu, urged the committee to ensure that non-indigenes were given a sense of belonging during the exercise, saying that Igbos and Hausas formed a bulk of voters in the state.

Some of the stakeholders present are; Lagos APC Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, Caretaker Secretary, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, Caretaker Assistant Publicity Secretary, Hon. Abiodun Salami, Rep. James Faleke, Rep. Ganiyu Johnson, Rep. Jimi Benson and Rep. Bashiru Dawodu.

Others include; Hon. Gbolahon Yishawu, Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja, Hon. Suraju Tijani, Hon. Jude Idimogwu, Hon. Sentoji David, Hon. Wale Rauf, and Hon. Fatai Mojeed.

The Chairperson of Conference 57 and Chairman, Lagos Mainland local government, Hon. Omolola Essien led the council chairmen to the meeting.