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Tag: Sen. Bola Tinubu

  • How 9th NASS leaders will emerge, by Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Friday emphasised leadership of the incoming 9th National Assembly will be decided through party politics.

     He stated that party discipline would be upheld in addressing the leadership tussle of the 9th National Assembly.

    Tinubu spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Friday after a Prayer Programme organised by Islamic and Christian clerics to mark his 67th birthday.

    He said: “Party discipline is key. We must be discipline in the party. We were a little careless in 2015.

    “We created the opportunity for serpents to get into our party and that did not allow Nigeria to make the desired progress.

    “You have seen the result of it and we are not going to allow that to happen again. We are going to respect our party and we are going to apply the whip.

    “It is either you stay with us or you follow us or you leave. You have the freedom to choose but the freedom does not give you as a minority to go and collaborate and protrude our mandate given to you to another party who was our opposition and who is still our opposition.

    “We would not take that this time, no matter who you think you are. That is how it is built. Why do you want to deviate from what has been structured?

    “We look at our reward system equally, zone by zone,” he said.

    Tinubu said that his life as a politician at 67 had been a fulfilling journey.

    “When I joined politics, there were a lot of uncertainties because it was during the military regime. There were lots of struggles but my concern is about people and the future of my country.

    “My mother stood by me when I told her then that I was joining politics. She told me to be ready to take all sorts of insults whenever they cross my way. May her soul rest in peace.

    “The struggle was tough. It created a justice on June 12 election of MKO and some people deserted the camp, the struggle, the spirit.

    “We have stayed with this struggle. We know democracy is not easy but it is the only system of government that we chose.

    “Ever since, it has been a very fulfilling journey. There is always the twist and turns in politics.

    “Today, we endure, we persevere, we think, adjust, collaborate, merged and became single party just like yesterday,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the APC party was in government for the common man.

    Read also: Party discipline will be upheld in 9th NASS leadership, says Tinubu

    “You will think that APC had been on for twenty years but is not up to six years. We went through compromises because we know that if we form a good alliance of progressive thinkers and believers in the ideology of common man, we will be able to serve the people.

    “It is not by criticism alone. You have to have the opportunity to even change the life of the people and quality of their standard of living.

    “So, we stood by it, we persevered persistently, uttered our voice, offered our recommendations, and then we are here.

    And today I am extremely happy that we are in government for the common man.

    “The only way to change Nigeria from penury is to fashion out our own organic economic strategy and plan that will continue to cater for all,” he said. (NAN)

  • Group extols Tinubu’s contributions to growth of nation’s democracy

    A non-governmental organisation, known as the Centre for Reform Education Initiative (CREI), has paid a special tribute to Sen. Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his laudable contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

    Chinwe Ugwu, The Executive Director of the organisation, conveyed the tribute in a congratulatory message to Tinubu, who will be 67 on March 29.

    In the letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday, Ugwu said that Tinubu had made positive impact on the lives of many Nigerians.

    “I want to heartily congratulate the national leader of the APC, a destiny changer, a philanthropist par excellence, a servant leader and father of the fatherless,” she said.

    Ugwu also extolled the democratic credentials of Tinubu, saying that he had helped to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: …He ‘s a worthy partner — Tinubu

    She said: “We cannot forget in a hurry how you teamed up with other patriots in the aftermath of June 12 presidential annulment to ensure that the military was sent packing from the nation’s political scene.

    “We salute your courage and resilience in restoring democratic governance in the nation in 1999.’’

    She further stated that Tinubu was greatly responsible for the change agenda that brought in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015.

    Ugwu said that Tinubu’s resilience, popularity, political sagacity and ingenuity played a major role in the triumph of APC during the general elections.

    She said that “as a thorough bred democrat and astute political engineer,” the former Lagos state governor laid a solid foundation for the development of the state into what it is today.
    “Today, Lagos is the reference point of accelerated development, courtesy of the foundation laid by him.”

    According to her, Lagos remains one of the few states that can survive on its own.

    “Credit must go to this great Nigerian, who created the enabling environment and initiated policies that sustained Lagos state.

    “Tinubu is an asset to Nigeria and will remain an indefatigable factor in the nation’s political firmament,’’ Ugly said.

  • Building Collapse: Tinubu commiserates with victims’ families

    All Progressives Congress National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, said the children who died in Wednesday’s building collapse in Lagos Island did not deserve to die the way they did, describing the incident as tragic.

    Tinubu, in a condolence message made available by his Media Adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Thursday in Lagos, commiserated with the families of the victims, praying that God would comfort them and grant repose of the souls of the young ones.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some school pupils were among those that lost their lives after a three-storeyed building located on Massey Street, in Ita-Faji, Lagos Island, collapsed on Wednesday.

    The school of the pupils was located on one of the floors of the building.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu commiserates with Niger on Kure’s death

    Aside the dead, many other persons injured were rescued from the rubble and taken to different hospitals for treatment.

    Tinubu said: “The building collapse in Ita-Faji, Lagos Island on Wednesday is a tragic occurrence. I commiserate with the families of those children who lost their precious lives.

    “They do not deserve to die the way they did. May God comfort their families and grant repose of the souls of those young ones.

    “If after the collapsed building had been found to be weak and marked for demolition and everybody had done what was required of them, perhaps this terrible incident would have been averted.

    “On its part, the government must fast-track demolition arrangements once a building is discovered to be weak and deserving of being pulled down to save lives,” he said.

    Tinubu also said that the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory for buildings should be strengthened and the officers should carry out their work appropriately.

    According to him, government’s laid down regulations on building construction and maintenance must be faithfully respected and enforced.

    “To mobilise support for these regulations, community development associations need to come to government’s aid.

    “Above all, we must all take appropriate lessons and learn from this sad incident,” he said.

    The former Lagos State Governor urged the state government to ensure adequate medical treatment for the rescued victims.

    He also appealed to residents to voluntarily donate blood not only for victims who urgently required blood but also to improve the blood bank in the state.

    “While we await the inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident, we must all support government’s efforts, ” he said.

    NAN

  • 2019: We will send Atiku into retirement on Saturday – Tinubu

    A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, said on Thursday in Lagos that the APC would send the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, into retirement on Saturday for the good of Nigeria.

    Tinubu said this in a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.

    ”This election is more than a contest between two men, President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for that one exalted chair.

    ”Look, I have made no attempts to hide my friendship with Atiku. We are friends before this election and hopefully we will be friends after Feb. 16 when he goes into retirement.

    ”For the good of Nigeria and even the good of Atiku himself, we will do well to send him into retirement on Saturday.

    ”Perhaps, we should also send Obi into retirement along with his boss come Feb. 16. Perhaps together they might manage to discover the place where they might learn compassion for the common man,” he said.

    Tinubu said there was not much good that could be found in the policies and programmes announced by the PDP.

    “Atiku’s answers to our economic challenges are to shrink and restrain government from being the active catalyst toward a diversified economy that assured broadly-shared prosperity through the just allocation of wealth and reward according to sweat and toil put forth by the Nigerian people.

    “They seek an unfair, unjust and unequal Nigeria. Their definition of Nigeria is a nation run by the greedy, for the profit of the rich, at the command of the mighty,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the objective of the APC was to remake Nigeria into a great nation.

    “Our vision is the opposite of theirs, Unlike the PDP, we, the APC, are anchored to the proposition that every Nigerian is entitled to equal access and sufficient economic opportunity so that he may use his talents, skills and committed exertion to carve for himself and his loved ones the decent and good life every human being seeks.

    “The ordinary person is not to be shortchanged of the fair dividends of his honest sweat and diligent labour simply because he may be poor or because the powerful and wealthy want more.

    “Because of the APC’s concerns for the struggles of the average person, we launched beneficial social welfare programmes such as the school feeding programme, Trader-Moni and N-Power.

    “As such, we have made progress caring for our most needy and vulnerable through these and other innovative and unprecedented policies. These programmes are of the type all great nations do for their citizens,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the APC was not satisfied by what had been accomplished, saying that what had been done was but the opening phase of a more ambitious undertaking.

    “We have just begun to fight poverty and reform this economy on the scale required. Though we have helped millions, several millions more are needed to end poverty’s stranglehold on their lives.

    “We must expand the scope and reach of our social welfare programmes to encompass those other people who have been denied access to the productive economy through no fault of their own.

    “Additionally, we must put idle hands to work to build a modern infrastructure that will energise agricultural output in rural areas and foster labour-intensive industrialisation in our growing cities, ” he said.

    The former governor of Lagos State said that the second term of President Buhari would be dedicated to changing the structure of the economy for the better.

    Read also: Oyo speaker condemns Akala’s son’s defection to ADP

    “We must amend our national economic architecture to unlock the full potentials of our people and our land. To me, this is the core mandate of government for and of the people.

    “Throughout the campaign, we have talked about taking Nigeria to the Next Level. To me, this Next Level is informed by forging a new partnership between government and the governed to create a more just and prosperous economy for all.

    “The beginning of this new partnership is already taking shape. As stated before, we have initiated a first phase of social welfare programmes,” he said.

    Tinubu urged the people of South West to join APC in implementing the Next Level agenda.

    “The South West has always been at the vanguard of progressive governance in Nigeria. Today should be no exception to this historic role we have played.

    “I ask the people of the South West to join the APC so that we attain the Next Level by implementing this bold and good new partnership built on the following pillars: power, infrastructure, housing, industrialisation, agriculture and social security,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the coming elections were a choice between progress and retreat.

    “The future is uncertain until we enter it. Feb. 16 is Election Day and on that day Nigeria shall step into its future.

    “How you vote on that day will determine whether we walk into the future in a manner that guides our subsequent steps toward the national greatness that calls to us or will we walk into it backwards as if feebly trying to reinvent the past.

    “One road leads to a certain replay of the economic injustices of the past. It is a road well-worn with familiar pitfalls and setbacks built into the very nature of it.

    “The other road provides the truest, brightest chance for us to enter into our hopeful future but only if we are brave enough to believe in our capacity to improve our nation,” he said.

    Tinubu urged Nigerians to vote for President Buhari for a secured future.

    “This is the future we must enter. This is the future the APC champions. This is future you must choose on Election Day. Vote for yourselves by voting for President Buhari,” he said.

    Tinubu urged Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections to ensure a violence-free exercise.

    “In the exercise of our civic duty at this historic and important moment, I ask that you conduct yourselves with utmost tolerance and in equal peace towards both political ally and political opponent.

    “Let us show the world that we know the true meaning of democracy. On Election Day let not an angry hand be raised against any Nigerian.

    “No matter our political differences, let us remember we are of one land and of the same national family.

    “This election shall be free and fair and conducted without the arm of violence. For this is as Nigeria and our democratic exercise must be to achieve the excellent destination intended for us.“ (NAN)

  • Osun: Direct primary will deepen internal democracy — Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress stalwart, Sen. Bola Tinubu, says the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) approving direct primaries for electing the governorship candidate in Osun will deepen internal democracy in the party.

    Tinubu expressed the view in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday  entitled ‘Internal Democracy: Improving the Nomination Process’,

    A copy of the statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Tinubu’s Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.

    According to the APC chieftain, the party’s Constitution provides for both direct and indirect primaries, but the direct option is more democratic and more participatory.

    Tinubu said that the decision was a ground-breaking step, as it affirmed the party’s democratic inclinations.

    He said that the involvement of all APC members in candidate nomination would ensure that the party chose the candidate of the people.

    “It will also serve to galvanise the party membership for the general election that lies ahead.

    “Moreover, direct primaries will serve as a future deterrent to those who might have tried to corrupt the delegate system of obtaining nominations.

    “With that system, the temptation to ‘buy’ delegates was an ever-present weakness. Now, such a venal undertaking will prove much too costly and uncertain to be entertained as feasible strategy.

    “I am sure party members in Osun welcome this decision for it shines the rays of democracy more fully upon them.

    “May this decision not be peculiar to Osun, but stand as the new way of our party. The nation and the APC will both be better for it, ” he said.

    Tinubu said that the decision took courage and conviction, as it bucked the old ways to bring about something better and new.

    “When the history of this moment is written, those looking back on this decision will say that it was an inevitable natural consequence of party evolution, ” he said.

    Tinubu commended the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for leading the party toward greater democracy.

    According to him, increased participation of all party members in key decisions that affect them is commendable.

    “From inception, our party has held to principles of internal democracy, and by the open and fair conduct of our conventions, we have distinguished ourselves from all other political parties.

    “While we have achieved more than others with regard to internal democracy, there is still more to be done in order to perfect our internal procedures and mechanisms.

    “This consideration was a key factor in the election of Oshiomhole as party chairman.

    “Core to that mandate is the improvement of democracy within the party so that we may become even better representatives of the people, ” Tinubu said.

    NAN reports that the APC said it would adopt direct primary method in Osun State in choosing a candidate ahead of the state’s governorship election.

    The national chairman of the ruling party, Oshiomhole, said this on Monday in Abuja after the screening of aspirants interested in flying the party’s flag in the Sept. 22 election. (NAN)

  • APC never lost any election under Ajomale, says Tinubu

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Sunday commended the outgoing Lagos State executive of the party led by Chief Henry Ajomale.

    Tinubu said that the Ajomale-led executive did not record any defeat while running the affairs of the party in the state.

    He gave the commendation when he received the new executive led by its chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun who paid him a courtesy visit at his Bourdilion, Ikoyi residence.

    The visit followed their victory on Saturday.

    Tinubu thanked the outgoing executive members for their unparalleled stewardship that saw the party grow stronger, broader and more relevant.

    He said that the outgoing executive ensured that the party maintained discipline and cohesion through the years.

    ”The outgoing executive led by Chief Ajomale did a wonderful job. He led the party with a unity of purpose underpinned by the spirit of inclusiveness and purpose.

    ”Under them, we never lost any election. We will not lose any election but this depends on how you handle your new responsibilities, ” he said.

    Tinubu advised the newly-elected executive of the party in the state to also promote unity and inclusiveness among party members.

    He charged them to rededicate themselves to the party and work to take it to new level, saying winning all political contests became a hallmark of the party in Lagos.

    On the issue of the state congress conducted, Tinubu said it was conducted in line with the laws guiding the party.

    ”The people who own the party have spoken and chosen their leaders.

    ”The success of the congress confirms the tradition of robust democracy and consensus-building that has brought progressive development to our state, ” he said.

    Tinubu said the new chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, was no stranger to him and no stranger to responsibility.

    According to him, as a Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture under his administration, Balogun performed well.

    The APC National Leader expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party and to deliver.

    Balogun, the new chairman, thanked the APC national leader and pledged to work hard to take the party to the next level.

    He commended Sen. Uche Ekwunife, who led the state Congress Organising Committee, and her team for conducting a free, fair and transparent exercise.

    He also commended her for demonstrating commitment to the progress and success of the party. (NAN)

  • APC Congress, way to go in building truly democratic party – Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress National Leader,  Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday congratulated his party for embarking on the congresses against all odds, saying that it is the way to go in building and upholding a truly democratic political party.

    Tinubu said this in a congratulatory message to the newly inaugurated APC National Convention Committee.

    The message was released by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.

    A 68-member National Convention Committee headed by Gov. Abubakar Badaru, was inaugurated today in Abuja at the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The committee was inaugurated to take charge of the conduct of the forthcoming congresses and national convention.

    ”I congratulate the Chairman and members of the Congresses/Convention Committee of our party.

    ”Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, who is the chairman of the committee, is a man reputed to be of high character and integrity.

    ”Working with other members of the committee, I’m persuaded that our party would conduct hitch-free congresses at all levels and the national convention.

    ”I also congratulate our party for embarking on the congresses against all odds. This is the way to go if we are desirous of building and upholding a truly democratic political party.

    ”Our ultimate goal should be the greater interest of the party.

    ”I believe that all members of our party are high in expectation that the committee would perform its assignment without fear or favour through which our party can be great again, ” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 18, announced that its National Convention to elect officers for a new term in the party’s leadership would hold on May 14.

    According to schedule of activities released by the Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, in Abuja, the party’s Ward Congresses will hold on May 2, while appeal that may arise from the conduct will be entertained on May 3.

    The schedule showed that local government area congresses would hold on May 5, with appeal arising from the exercise fixed for May 7.

    It indicated that May 9 is the date for congress at states’ level to elect executive committees of the party in all states in the country.

    It fixed May 10 for hearing of appeal that may arise from the conduct of the state congresses.(NAN)

  • Aare Ona Kakanfo: Tinubu congratulates Gani Adams, Alaafin

    Aare Ona Kakanfo: Tinubu congratulates Gani Adams, Alaafin

    Sen. Bola Tinubu on Tuesday congratulated the leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, on his appointment as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

    Tinubu, a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the congratulatory message issued in Lagos said that Adams richly deserved the appointment

    He said Adams had never left anyone in doubt over his resolve to fight for the interest of Yoruba race.

    “I congratulate you on your appointment as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland With this, you have joined the elite rank of generalissimos in Yorubaland.

    “ You deserve this honour. You have a heart of steel. You have never left anyone in doubt about your resolve and readiness to fight for and defend the interest of Yoruba race.

    “In Yorubaland, particularly in the old Oyo Empire, the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo has always been a significant one.

    Tinubu said that as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo and going through the list of those who had occupied the position, Adams “come with an extra youth, vigour and vitality, which would be an added advantage’’.

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    “ I rejoice with you and wish you well as you assume this leadership mantle and forge ahead in the service of our people,’’ he said.

    Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos also commended the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi for the appointment of Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo.

    “I congratulate you Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, over the appointment of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland

    “You have accomplished another important task. You have broken the 19 years hiatus in picking another nominee for this prestigious title.

    “Otunba Gani Adams’ appointment comes after the demise of the last occupant of the office, Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12 election, who died in incarceration in 1998.

    “I commend you Kabiyesi for the thorough search which produced the Oodua People’s Congress Leader as the next occupant.

    “While wishing you renewed strength, good health and continued successful reign, I also wish the new Aare Ona kakanfo a glorious tenure,’’ he said.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, confirmed the choice of Adams for the title on Sunday during his 79th birthday celebration.

    Aare Ona Kakanfo in the pre-colonial Yoruba history was a supreme military title conferred by the Alaafin of Oyo. (NAN)

  • Tinubu, Ambode mourns passage of Lagos Chief Imam

    Tinubu, Ambode mourns passage of Lagos Chief Imam

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has described the late Chief Imam of Lagos as a knowledgeable cleric who drew attention to societal ills and suggested corrective steps.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sheikh Haruba Akinola died on Sunday at the age of 79. He was inaugurated as the 9th Chief Imam of Lagos on July 30, 2000.

    Tinubu, in a condolence message in Lagos said Sheikh Akinola would be sorely missed because “he always put his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam at the disposal of many in Lagos.

    ” I am deeply saddened by the death of the Chief Imam of Lagos. But as Muslims, we must take every occurrence as the will of Allah.

    ”As the leading Islamic scholar in Lagos, Sheikh Akinola will be sorely missed not only by Muslim faithfuls but by the people of Lagos and South-west.

    ”Through his sermon and ‘Khutbat’, he drew attention to the various societal ills and suggested corrective steps.

    ” I will miss him personally. He brought calming words during our period of turmoil.

    ” I mourn with members of his immediate family. I mourn with Muslim Ummah in Lagos, across the country and the world. May Almighty Allah grant him Al Jannah Firdaus,”Tinubu said.

    In his message, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State expressed sadness over the death of the highly revered Chief Imam of Lagos, saying that the state had lost a fearless cleric

    Ambode described the development as a great loss to the Muslim community, the state and the country in general.

    He said the late cleric would be sorely missed and remembered for his bold and courageous sermons which stood him out in present-day Nigeria.

    The governor said the late cleric was a great man of God who spoke truth to power not minding whose ox was gored and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the state.

    ”It is with deep sense of great loss but total submission to the will of God that I note the demise of the Chief Imam of our dear state, Alhaji Garuba Akinola.

    ”He was indeed a respected cleric who was always mindful of his integrity and used his sermons to engineer positive changes in the behaviour and character of his followers.

    ”He was a devout Muslim; humanist and bridge builder and would be remembered for his fairness, boldness and thought-provoking sermons, ” he said,

    Ambode urged the family of the late cleric to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the peaceful coexistence in the state.

    ”On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos State, I specially commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased and the Muslim Community for this great irreparable loss, ” Ambode said.

  • Lagos LG polls: No room for PDP win in any council – Tinubu

    Lagos LG polls: No room for PDP win in any council – Tinubu

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not record any win in the forthcoming council polls in Lagos State.

    Tinubu, a former governor of the state, said this while addressing hundreds of party faithful at the Lagos State APC Stakeholders’ meeting at the party secretariat at Acme Road, Ikeja.

    The stakeholders’ forum was held in preparation for the July 22 council polls.

    Tinubu regretted the loss of some national and state legislative seats to the PDP in the 2015 general elections.

    “2015 election was the greatest battle of our time. In the last election, we lost more than three LGAs to our opponents, which is very unusual.

    “We have asked our leaders in those local governments to examine what went wrong and work together to chart a new course to ensure the APC wins back those councils.

    “PDP cannot have any share in these council elections,” Tinubu said.

    The national leader commended party faithful for their support to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, saying that the governor had not disappointed the party and the people.

    “We are grateful to you the people for your great support during the 2015 election. We have continued to hold Lagos in spite of strong opposition.

    “Gov. Ambode has not let us down; he is doing a fantastic job in an environment where we have the economic challenges. He is doing it and he is doing very very well.

    “He has a very good team. He is doing a great job and we are very proud of that,” he said.

    Tinubu urged party leaders at the grassroots to shun bribery and favouritism, adding that quality leadership and merit should be upheld.

    “Our leaders should be fair to the people at the grassroots; we cannot please all, but we can satisfy the majority. This politics is a give-and-take compromise.’’

    According to him, the party will not use any of the current sole administrators in the forthcoming council poll.

    “To appease some people, we asked the government to allow the Executive Secretaries to take over after the tenure of last council chairmen expired, instead of civil servants.

    “That was why executive secretaries were chosen to pave way for politicians.

    “When the term expired, we used sole administrators, but before we used them, we warned them that `when the elective position comes, you are not entitled to contest’.

    “We agreed that time, we cannot change it overnight; executive secretaries, however, can contest.”

    Tinubu, however, said 19 former council chairmen, except for one of them who is late, who only served single terms, would be given another chance in the coming elections.

    He urged the party leaders to give consideration to youths and women in the sharing of positions.

    The party leader also urged Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to increase security presence in Surulere area of the state to check violence.

    According to him, his attention was drawn to some violence in the area, which gave cause for concern.

    ”I urge the people of Surulere to be patient and peaceful. We will all benefit from the party,” he said.

    Also speaking, Ambode urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure APC victory in all the 57 councils.

    Ambode said: “We are meeting on a very happy note. I am able to look back and say that that confidence you reposed in me to defeat the PDP candidate was not in vain.

    “This coming local government election is all in your hands. My call to all members of our great party is to ensure that all the 57 councils are won by APC. We have begun a journey to make Lagos and Nigeria progressive’’.

    Earlier in his opening remark, Mr Henry Ajomale, the Chairman, Lagos APC, said that the forum was organised to allow party faithful to interact with the leaders of the party.

    Ajomale said that meeting was aimed at moving the party forward ahead of the forthcoming council polls.

    NAN reports that hundreds of party faithful and leaders across the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas were in attendance.