- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has on Friday inaugurated 36 newly elected State Executive Committee members for another term of four years.
NPO Reported that the new executive members were on Tuesday elected at the APC State Congress held across the country.
The inauguration was earlier scheduled for Thursday but was postponed following the demise of the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Karamo Yesiro, who died on Wednesday.
Yesiro died barely 24 hours after his re-election at the party congress, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium).
Speaking at the inauguration held at the APC secretariat in Ikeja, the Chairman of the 2026 APC State Congress Technical Committee, Chief Oyinlomo Danmole, commended the party leaders and members for their support towards the success of the state congress.
Danmole, represented by Dr Adekunle Olayinka, Secretary of the technical committee and the Special Adviser to State Governor on Works, said that the party was ready for victory in 2027.
“Today is very important in our party in Lagos State because we are swearing in the newly constituted executive members of our party.
“They have been saddled with the responsibility of running our party at the state level for another four years. The party leaders strongly believe in your capacity and capabilities,” Danmole said.
He called for unity of purpose among the exco in order to deliver massive victory for the party in all elections.
In his address, State Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who applauded the technical committee for doing “a good job,also commended party leaders for the confidence reposed in the new exco.
Congratulating and welcoming new exco on board, Ojelabi said that the party leaders had found the team worthy in character, commitment and loyalty to pilot the affairs of the party.
He applauded President Bola Tinubu, Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mr Mudashiru Obasa, members of the Governance Advisory Council, led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and other leaders for their commitment to the party.
Ojelabi said: “We welcome all of you on board. We are coming on board at a very critical period. A period we are saddled with the responsibility of mobilising for the election and win for the party massively.
“We came in at a period very close to when candidates that are going to fly the flag of the party in the next elections will emerge.
“All eyes are on us today. The question they are asking us is how we going to change the narrative The narrative of making sure that we consolidate on our achievements as a party since 1999.
“They are asking us how we are going to change the narrative of our performance in the presidential election we witnessed in 2023
“These particular questions preoccupy our mind and it is a task that must be done collectively.
“It is our way of showing appreciation to the man who made all of us politically and the man that has contributed in no small way in deepening our democracy in Nigeria.”
He said that the new exco would reciprocate Tinubu’s gesture by going all out and “make sure that we deliver our votes in totality come Jan. 16, 2027.
“We can only achieve this with unity of purpose.”
He cautioned against caucuses within party, saying having groups within the party was not good for unity.
“Today, irrespective of groups that you belong to, you just have to drop that particular group or caucus.
“Realise that you are no longer a member of any group. Rather, you are the symbol of our party. Don’t let them find you attending any caucus meeting other than APC meeting.
“I am pleading that the responsibility of consolidating lies on our unity. We must work as a team and as one family.
“Like I said, there is no time. Work starts immediately,” he said.
He urged the new exco to get familiar with the party’s constitution and guidelines and advised them to acquaint themselves with the leaders of their various local government areas.
Ojelabi assured new exco of Governor’s support, saying “Mr Governor is looking at us and he will provide the enabling environment because he believes we are the one representing him at your various councils.”
Llegal practitioner, Mr Nike Coker administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to the new executive members.
Other newly inaugurated state executive members include Moshood Mayegun (Deputy Chairman), Adeola Jokomba (Secretary) Oluseye Oladejo (Publicity Secretary), Folashade Bakare (Legal Adviser) Abiola Aigbe (Treasurer), Banjo Adedoyin (Financial Secretary) and Ayodele Adewale (Organising Secretary).
Youth Leader, Seriki Muritala; Assistant Secretary, Azizat Adejumoke; Zonal Vice Chairman (West), Babatunde Sunday-Aboyade; Zonal Vice Central, Central, Muyideen Abayomi; Zonal Vice Chairman (East), Olayinka Olusanya; Assistant Legal Adviser, Adebila Adewummi; and Assistant Treasurer, Olugbenle Sonola.
Also, the Assistant Financial Secretary, Ganiyat Olaleye; Assistant Organising Secretary, Adebayo Sanwo-Olu; Welfare, Adeniyi Kehinde; Auditor, Bikuda Adedoyin; Assistant Auditor, Wusu Shakiru-Ajiyan;
The Woman Leader, Shola Eletu; Assistant Woman Leader, Damilola Sonayan-James; Assistant Youth Leader, Vincent Adukwu; Special Leader, Afolabi Dada;
Senatorial Youth Leader (West), Rasheed Goshe-Oyebola; Senatorial Youth Leader (Central), Mathew Eshinlokun and Senatorial Youth Leader (East), Olugbenga Balogun.
Also included are: Senatorial Woman Leader (Central), Deaconess Ajiwonuola; Senatorial Woman Leader (East), Olawoyin Modupe; Exofficio 1, Aishat Sanni; Ex-officio 2, Yomi Olubando; Ex-officio 3, Bamidele Olufemi; and Ex-officio 4, Ngozi Catherine.