The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has screened 27 aspirants from each of the state’s 20 local government areas (LGAs) ahead of its local government congress scheduled to hold Saturday, February 21.

The screening exercise took place at the APC State Secretariat in Ogba, Lagos, under the supervision of members of the LGA Ward Congress Committee.

Chairman of the committee, Barrister Mungji B. Salama, described the exercise as smooth and emphasised that consensus arrangements would be respected where stakeholders agreed.

“There is consensus if people agree. They will only need to ratify it,” Salama said, clarifying that no aspirant had been disqualified. “You will see the outcome when the results are pasted.”

Salama added that the list of qualified candidates would be published following the screening and that only those cleared would participate in the congress. He appealed to aspirants who did not make the list to remain committed to the party, saying, “For those that didn’t qualify, there is always another time. Let us do it without any rancour.”

Describing Lagos as a “pacesetter,” Salama noted that committee members were in the state to carry out their assignment in line with party guidelines and commended the state leadership for ensuring a smooth preparatory process.

In his opening remarks, Lagos APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said the screening marked the final stage of preparations for the LGA congress.

“We started the process of the screening, and tomorrow we are rounding off in preparation for the local government congress,” Ojelabi said. He stressed that the APC remains committed to transparency in its internal processes, noting that it is the only political party to invite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the press to observe its congresses.

Ojelabi also highlighted the importance of compliance with the Electoral Act, particularly for those who will oversee party structures at the LGA level.

“The content of the Electoral Act is very critical, so those who are going to be in charge at the LGA must be properly briefed,” he said.

Congratulating aspirants ahead of the congress, Ojelabi described election into party offices as a call to service. “By this time tomorrow, if you are elected, know that it is a call to service. Your election is for you to make an impact and contribute to the growth of the party,” he said, urging aspirants to assess their capacity to serve effectively at the grassroots level.

The LGA congress is expected to produce executive officers across the state’s local government and ward structures as part of the APC’s internal democratic process.