The chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, yesterday called for a concerted efforts at repositioning the chapter.
Describing the new party officers as a rescue team that would breath life into the chapter, he said Lagos APC was in dire need of genuine help it could muster from members for the chapter to rise again into a beacon of hope.
Ojelabi, a one-time council chairman, commissioner and federal legislator, said since members were involved in dragging the party to its current ignoble position, they also have the responsibility to bail it out and make it a truly progressive circle where oppression and partially will no longer be the order of the day.
To Ojelabi, the collective interest of Lagos APC should override the interests of antagonistic caucues drawing the chapter backward.
The chairman spoke at the inauguration of members of state executive committee at the party office along Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, following last week’s swearing in of state chairmen in Abuja.
The officers include Mayegun Olanrewaju (Deputy Chairman), Lanre Odesanya (Secretary), Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (Vice Chairman, East), Folashade Bakare (Legal Adviser), Seye Oladejo (Publicity Secretary), Dr. Muritala Seriki (Youth Leader), Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (Woman Leader), Kehinde Babalola (Assistant Women Leader), Israel Akiode (Physically Challenged Leader), Ayodele Adewale (Organising Secretary), Idris Aregbe (Youth Organising Secretary) and Wasiu Banjo (Financial Secretary).
At the ceremony attended by Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members-Prince Oluyole Olusi, Pa Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Alhaji Akanni Seriki, Prince Murphy Adetoro, Senator Tony Adefuye, Otunba Oladele Ajomale and Alhaji Mutiu Aare-the oath was administered on the party officers by former APC National Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala (SAN).
The event was also witnessed by Senator Ganiyu Solomon, former federal legislator Dayo Alebiosu, Abu Akilapa, representative of Eleko, Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Ajayi Bembe, Sesan Olanrewaju, Lateef Ibirogba, Abiodun Mafe, Hakeem Bamgbola, Valentine Buraimoh, Ahmed Seriki and Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara.
Ojelabi asked the officers to reflect on the weight of responsibilities before signing the oath.
He said priority should always be given to justice and equity so that the hope and aspirations of the party can be fulfilled with relative ease.
Ojelabi said: “Today’s event marks a new dawn in our party as we are signing on to putting our collective interest above personal preferences and giving every member his due.
“We shall, henceforth, give priority to justice and equity so that everyone’s hopes and aspirations can be fulfilled with relative ease. “We will do all within our powers to develop the party so as to further deepen our democracy and bring our party back to its winning spree. Therefore, as you are about to take your oath of office, let me charge you to take a second look at the responsibilities of that office and decide whether you want to change your mind or you still wish to continue with us.”
He added: “This team is saddled with the responsibility of getting the party back on track. We, need everyone to work together to regain our lost glory. Therefore, we need to be friendly with the people, win their confidence to be able to get them to work for us.
“So, go to your various constituencies and commence a process of harmony and genuine reconciliation. Take every member of our party and the public as your people who should be respected and cared for.
“We must find ways to arrest the current nosediving trends of our votes and take Lagos back to the days of quality voting.”
Olusi, Second Republic federal lawmaker and one-time commissioner, described the exco as an elected representative of the party.
He said: “You have been given a hectic responsibility; the control; the running of the party. I am not happy about the running of the party. Many party leaders are not aware of the party manifestos. How can they explain to members? We have problem at the national in respect of convention.”
Ogunleye, former deputy governor of Lagos State, said the state executive committee represents an array of competent people, urging them to maintain fairness, equity, strongwill to do what is right and be sympathetic to the feelings of party members.
He added: “You should focus on issues, not personalities.”
Ajomale urged party members to adopt the slogan of “APC my party, APC your party and APC our party.”
Turning to Ojelabi, he said: “Not all our members are grassroots people. You will need to organise seminars where they will understand the rudiments of political party.”