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LAGOS – Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, was on Tuesday re-elected the state chairman for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term, as the party inaugurated members of its State Executive Council, to formally usher in a new leadership cycle.
Ojelabi, who was returned unopposed at the party’s state congress, which took place on Tuesday, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
He described his re-election as a reflection of unity and collective resolve within the party’s structure in Lagos.
In his remarks, he said, “With profound gratitude and humility, I stand before you deeply honoured. This moment is not just a celebration of my re-election; it’s a testament to the unity and commitment of members of our great party,” he said.
He acknowledged the support of key stakeholders within the party and across government institutions. He commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the National Assembly for what he termed their role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, and lauded the synergy between federal and state actors, which he said has translated into infrastructural growth across Lagos.
He also expressed appreciation to the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), led by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, describing the body as custodians of institutional memory whose counsel has continued to guide the party’s direction in the state.
The party chairman recognised the contributions of local government party chairmen, ethnic groups within the state, and women members, whom he credited for strengthening the party’s grassroots appeal and organisational cohesion.
While reflecting on the party’s trajectory in Lagos, he said the APC has evolved beyond a political platform into what he called “a movement for the betterment of the lives of Lagosians.”
“As we celebrate today, we must look ahead to the forthcoming elections. This is the time to work together to ensure that the APC continues to lead and deliver good governance to the people of Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 general elections, he urged party members to deepen internal unity, expand inclusiveness, and consolidate the APC’s dominance in Lagos ahead of future electoral contests.
“Today’s inauguration of the state executive council signals the beginning of a new administrative phase for the Lagos APC, with our focus on mobilisation, reconciliation of interests within the fold, and strategic positioning ahead of the next electoral cycle” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on his part, charged the newly elected executives to ensure inclusivity, fairness and uphold the party’s supremacy.
The election which was done via a consensus arrangement saw the emergence of Cornelius Ojelabi as the Chairman of the party.
He urged the new EXCO to ensure the supremacy of the party at all times. “Mr. Chairman, the party is supreme at all times, I want to congratulate you and the entire delegates believing in your leadership, believing that you’re the right man for the job, and all of you that have been elected and new ones that have joined, we want to congratulate you.
“The charge is very simple, you have the responsibility to take this party in the state to a level that will become a national reference point, a national state reference party in ensuring inclusivity, by ensuring that fairness equity, just, is at play at all times, by ensuring that everybody that wants to be part of our house, there’s room for them, and the tenets and the objectives of the party, they hold on to,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Sanwoolu, while thanking the party in the state for the stride of commitment, also appreciated the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission for being alive to their duty. “To our umpire, the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, they are seated and watching us, thank you for being part of today’s assignment, for being part of what we have done from ward to local government and now at the state. You’ve seen we have demonstrated that we’re a party of purpose, fairness, transparency, equity and inclusivity.
He also appreciated all the delegates who travelled from all the LGAs and LCDAs to participate in the election. “Today is not a day of long speeches but a day to tell the entire nation that APC in Lagos have an uncommon standard and we have shown that the party structure in Lagos State is next to none in the entire country; we have demonstrated that the party is supreme, we have shown to everybody that for us in Lagos we are strengthened by unity of purpose, we have demonstrated here this morning that we have a single and common purpose to ensure that the party formation, the party structure in our state is the best and next to none.
“Therefore my first appreciation will be to our leader, the father of our nation, the number one citizen of our country, a Lagosian of no mean feat, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his untiring leadership for our country, for remaining the leader of APC, and most importantly for remaining our leader in Lagos. I want to thank you in absentia because this is your own Congress. We want to thank you for the leadership you have bestowed on us, for your training and the way you have made us, for the tutelage all of us have received under your guidance, and we have demonstrated that today. Thank you for the leadership you continue to give the country. Our prayer is that God almighty strengthens you day in, day out.”
While thanking the national leadership, the hierarchy and structure at the national level, he said “We thank you for ensuring that the largest party in Africa can continue to do this even at this critical time, for continuing to do things fairly and better and squarely. For bringing the various committees that came to conduct the state Congress here in Lagos and they did it very very well.”
