Youths from Badagry Division on Tuesday stormed the Lagos State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring support for President Bola Tinubu and the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youths, drawn from Ojo and Badagry federal constituencies, also reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and pledged to mobilize support for the party across the division.
Speaking on behalf of the youths during the solidarity visit to the state APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, a youth leader, Mr Tijani Oluwadare, said the endorsement was informed by the party’s commitment to youth inclusion.
Oluwadare praised the APC leadership for responding to long-standing demands for greater participation of young people in governance and party affairs.
He described the emergence of Mrs Damilola Sonayo-James as the party’s deputy governorship candidate as a historic development.
According to him, youths across Badagry Division and Ojo Federal Constituency are grateful for the recognition accorded young people by the party.
He said the youths had commenced extensive mobilization efforts aimed at securing overwhelming support for the APC in the 2027 elections.
Oluwadare also assured party leaders that youths in the division would continue to promote peaceful participation during elections.
He recalled that Badagry Division had maintained relative peace through grassroots campaigns encouraging residents and supporters to prioritize voting peacefully.
“I assure party leaders that youths would sustain advocacy for peaceful participation.
“Our contribution to the electoral process will be expressed through votes and massive turnout, not violence,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Rita Bawo, another leader of the group, said the visit was to appreciate the peaceful conduct of the APC’s recent primary election and thank party leaders for ensuring stability.
Bawo commended President Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing leadership that ensured smooth primary elections.
According to her, the exercise was devoid of the violence often associated with political contests.
She said the successful conduct of the primary reflected unity and maturity within the party.
Bawo added that members gathered to express gratitude to the leadership for conducting a transparent process that was peacefully accepted by party faithful.
“The party has commenced grassroots mobilization for the 2027 elections throughout our constituency.
“The aim is to surpass President Tinubu’s previous electoral performance and consolidate APC’s strength across communities and constituencies,” she said.
Responding, Ojelabi commended members for their loyalty and commitment to the party’s progressive ideals.
He assured supporters that the party remained united despite challenges arising from the conduct of the primaries.
According to him, 91 aspirants contested for 24 House of Representatives seats, while 184 aspirants sought the party’s 40 House of Assembly tickets across the state.
Ojelabi acknowledged that the primaries were not without imperfections but urged members to rally round successful candidates in the overall interest of the party.
He disclosed that a reconciliation committee had been established to address grievances and strengthen unity among members.
The APC chairman also praised President Tinubu for expanding democratic participation within the party.
He called on youths to reciprocate the emergence of the nation’s youngest deputy governorship candidate by supporting the APC and its candidates.
Ojelabi further urged party officials to encourage eligible voters to complete their Continuous Voter Registration before the July 10 deadline.
He thanked supporters for renewing their commitment to sustaining the progressive family in Lagos State. (NAN)
