Youths, APC aspirants reject ‘consensus candidate’ for Yaba LG chairmanship

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has kicked off its series of stakeholders’ fora, urging collaboration to ensure free, fair, and credible local council elections slated for July 12, 2025.

Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, who spoke during a forum, themed “Enhancing a credible and inclusive Local Government Elections in Lagos State,” emphasised the importance of public trust and inclusive participation.

Present at the stakeholders’ forum include political parties, civil society groups, youth movements, persons with disabilities, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, market leaders and the media.

Okikiolu-Ighile stressed LASIEC’s commitment to a transparent and seamless electoral process, assuring Lagosians that preparations were in top gear. Okikiolu-Ighile, therefore, assured people of adequate security during the election, saying that appropriate security arrangements have been put in place.

The Permanent Secretary of LASIEC, Abdul-Rafiu Omowole Fashola, emphasised that elections are about equity and good governance, and the engagement of stakeholders who drive the economy is crucial. He, therefore, stressed the vital role of voter education and the commission’s commitment to transparency to reflect the people’s mandate.

Also, Chairman of Media, Publicity, and Voter Education, Akim Oluwo, reiterated LASIEC’s dedication to promoting credible elections where every vote counts.

MEANWHILE, youths, under the auspices of Concerned Youths of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have rejected the alleged nomination of Joseph Ojo, an APC chairmanship aspirant, as the LCDA’s consensus candidate for the election.

The group, in a statement yesterday by its Coordinator, Adebayo Shittu, and Secretary, Bode Oderinde, said that Ojo could not be said to be a consensus candidate as his candidacy was not endorsed by party stakeholders and other aspirants.

The APC youths urged the party’s leadership in the area to stop presenting Ojo as a consensus candidate and allow the will of the stakeholders of the party to prevail.

The group said: “We have heard that Joseph Babatunde Ojo, a 70-year-old man, is the consensus choice of the leadership of APC in Yaba.

“This shows that the leadership is insensitive to the plights and yearnings of the people — older and younger generation— of Yaba and we shall ensure this does not see the light of the day.”

“Despite having young, vibrant and energetic youths among the aspirants, it is so disappointing that APC leadership in Yaba would be parading a 70-year-old man.

“Elders are supposed to be encouraging young people to seek public offices for positive change.” According to the group, the consensus is null and void and does not represent the decision of the APC and people of Yaba.

The group, therefore, called on top party leaders, especially members of the Governance Advisory Council and the party chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, to call APC leadership in the council to order.

Also, an aspirant, Ibrahim Adegbola, who spoke on behalf of the 14 aggrieved aspirants in Yaba APC, said that the council does not need anyone above the age of 50.