The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has been appointed to head the 15-member All Progressives Congress (APC) committee to set the modalities and preparation of guidelines for the forthcoming local council elections in Lagos.

The committee, inaugurated by the party’s Chairman, Chief Tunde Balogun is expected to swing into action immediately, following the release of the statutory election notices published by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Balogun reiterated that the announcement of the elections scheduled for July 24 has ignited political activities in the party, with various aspirants canvassing for support.

Hamzat assured the party of living up to expectations and ensure that credible guidelines would be put in place to justify the confidence the party leadership reposed in him.

He said the party would present the best candidates that would complement the efforts of the state government in providing the dividends of democracy.

Other members of the committee are former deputy governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Mr. Ademola Sadiq- the state legal adviser; Hon. Adewale Oshun; Hon. Daramola Abayomi; Alh. Ganiyu Sadiq; Mr. Ademola Olisa; Mr. Fatai Lasisi; Mr. Adebiyi Kehinde; Mr. Olabode Olaniyan; Mr. S. A. Sekoni; Mr. Tunde Lawal and Mr. Gani Bello.

Meanwhile, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Philips (rtd) has advocated for an inclusivity mechanism for women, youths, Persons With Disabilities (PWD), and other vulnerable populations in the activities of political parties and processes in the coming council polls. She said this would widen democratic space and make it more robust.

Philips made the statement during a strategic consultation parley with representatives of registered political parties in Lagos to deliberate on the pathway to an all-inclusive and peaceful electioneering process.

The meeting also considered the “Guidelines for 2021 Local Council Elections coming up on July 24th, 2021.

The Chairman, represented by one of LASIEC Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, reassured the parties of the commission’s commitment to remain focused on the goal of delivering free, fair, and credible elections.

“We shall continue to implement all activities on schedule, according to the timetable, and shall operate within the ambit of the law,” she said.

She said the commission shall continue to build a strong partnership with critical stakeholders, the civil societies, media, political parties, security agencies, NGOs, community/religious leaders, market associations and other interest groups in ensuring that the commission conduct credible polls.

The APC Secretary, Lanre Ogunyemi, charged parties to work with LASIEC in the areas of voter education and enlightenment to stem the tide of voter apathy, political thuggery, and violent conduct before, during, and after the election. While the Lagos Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Adedeji Doherty and Mrs. Temilola Akinade of National Rescue Mission (NRM) called for the reduction and abolition of nomination fees for women contestants.

A group within APC, Lagos4Lagos Movement, led by Dr Olajide Adediran, has inaugurated a 51-member state executive across the five divisions of the state, with the task to ensure maximum realisation of the team’s set goals in Lagos gubernatorial poll in 2023.

However, Adeniran, popularly called Jandor, said his movement is not interested in the council elections for peculiar reasons, as his goal is to be on the ballot box for the 2023 governorship elections on APC platform.