Lagos APC screening:LOC assures resolution of complaints

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, says the party’s Appeal Committee is ready to entertain and treat complaints that may emanate from the just-concluded screening of Lagos Assembly aspirants.

Our correspondent reported on Monday that no fewer than 184 aspirants were screened by the Mr Porok Fomson -led APC Screening Committee ahead of the party primaries.
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Speaking with our correspondent the Acting Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Screening, Chief Olajide Adams, said the committee was prepared to entertain complaints from dissatisfied aspirants.

Adams, who spoke with our correspondent after the conclusion of the two-day exercise for aspirants , described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and orderly.

He said most aspirants arrived early and were duly screened after presenting necessary documents and credentials.

Adams said the Appeal Committee members were already in Lagos awaiting the screening report.

“They are already in Lagos, they are waiting for this committee to finish their job.

“Once they finish their job and their report is ready, whoever feels dissatisfied will now write to the APC,” he said.

He urged party members to accept the outcome of the primaries in good faith and remain united.

“APC is one family, if you contest primaries and you don’t win, you must accept the will of the people.

“If you want to take up the role of leadership, you learn to understand the difference between victory and loss.

“Then, you are able to go back, re-evaluate and then come back stronger,” he said

Speaking on the screening, Adams said the exercise focused strictly on credentials, experience, party membership and voter registration, saying the results would soon be released by the committee.

The LOC chairman said the committee maintained fairness and transparency throughout the exercise.

Noting that the APC in Lagos had no preferred candidates, Adams said: “We had told them much earlier, that the APC Lagos State has no anointed candidates.

“All we want to do is be fair and transparent to everyone whose intention is to represent the party. And that was what we did in two days.”

According to him, some aspirants submitted incomplete or outdated documents during the screening.

He urged aspirants who might be dissatisfied with the outcome to embrace party unity and utilise internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

Adams said aggrieved aspirants still had the opportunity to approach the Appeal Committee.

He said: “The first thing is that they must realise that we are first a party. Our primary goal is to win first.

“There are still more opportunities within the party, and anyone who feels dissatisfied, there is a next step for such an individual, and that is the appeal committee.”

The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the party would perform strongly in the general elections.

According to him, the party has credible aspirants and has reviewed previous shortcomings ahead of the polls.

“We are so sure and confident that by the time the general elections come, we will sweep the state.

“APC is never a stagnant party, we are very dynamic.

“We have done our research and have established some of those areas where we did not measure up the last time,” he said.