FASHOLA, WIFE, REGISTER AS APC MEMBERS IN SURULERE

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), in company of his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, on Wednesday formally flagged off the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration exercise in the State, calling on all those who are concerned about the country to join the party to save the nation.

The Governor who spoke with newsmen at the State Senior Grammar School Special, Itolo in Surulere after completing the process and receiving his membership card from the Chairman of the APC registration committee in the State, Dr Garba Abari alongside his deputy, Mr Ayo Afolabi and secretary, Mr Kehinde Akinsoji, added that all such people will find a vehicle of expression in the APC.

He explained that what is taking place can be encapsulated as evolving from the initial contacts and meetings that heralded the formation of Nigeria’s first ever merger of political parties into the All Progressives Congress.

   

“Now the process of identifying by membership, the individuals that make up the large body of Nigerians who are delivering what is clearly the biggest political movement in order to birth a new Nigeria has began today and you can see the process, the openness and the transparency”, he added.

The Governor who also distinguished the process from the voting exercise, said it is a membership registration card that signifies that one is a proud member of the party, recalling that a similar exercise also took place when the Action Congress was formed.

He reiterated that every political party registers members who are the brand owners of the ideology and the identity and goals and policy aspirations and decisions of that party and as such the present exercise has nothing to do with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but an internal process to identify people as proud members of the colours, the name, the symbol and the motto and the ideology of the APC.

The Governor reiterated when all of the registration processes is concluded, there would be a reconciliation of all the records to ensure that nobody who wants to join the party is left out and ensure that it is inclusive.

“If there are issues with registration, there would be mop up to ensure that there is a level playing field, such that everybody who wants to register will register. This is an association where there would be no compulsion to join, so you are free to come and join if you believe in what the party stands for, which is to save Nigeria from its current difficult challenges and poor management”, the Governor stated.

Continuing, Fashola said thereafter will be the announcement by the Interim National Executive of the plans for the ward congresses, local government congresses, state congresses up to the National Convention where all of the officers of the party will now be elected in a transparent and open process and from then on, the structure of governance and administration from ward level will be in the hands of elected members of the party by electoral processes designed by the party in accordance with its constitution.

The Governor was received at the State Senior Grammar School Special, Itolo in Surulere registration point by party leaders including the State Women Party leader, Mrs Adetoun Adediran, Assistant Publicity Secretary, Chief Funsho Ologunde and Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Mr Ganiyu Ajide among several others.