Posted by By Jide Osokoya on
The Action Congress (AC), Lagos State, has adopted the open ballot system, popularly known as Option A4, for the primary election of its aspirants for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
The Action Congress (AC), Lagos State, has adopted the open ballot system, popularly known as Option A4, for the primary election of its aspirants for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
This was revealed to P.M.News by the chairman of the party in the state, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale. The former Commissioner for Special Duties, under the Bola Tinubu administration, said the era of godfatherism, hand-picking of candidates and favouritism in Lagos politics was over, adding that any aspirant worth his or her salt should go to the field and work to win.
Chief Ajomale said: 'Let me assure AC members in particular and Lagosians in general, that nobody has been endorsed by the party leaders. Some people will get the shock of their lives, because they need to go and face the people.
'If you don't work to win at the primaries, that is the end. If you have a godfather, let him work for you on the field to ensure your victory. Anything short of that, AC will not tolerate,' he stated.
He said the primary election would be so open that corrupt party followers would be exposed, as voters would have to queue behind their favourite candidates during the elections which would produce the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the party.
Ajomale, who told P.M.News that the Action Congress primary election would hold in all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) before 11 September, said the party's code of conduct would be strictly adhered to.
According to the former diplomat, 'we are abiding by the code of conduct of the party, hence, we don't expect any chieftain of the party to be biased. Any party chieftain (leaders or executives) who is found openly supporting any aspirant before the primary will be expelled.'
He, however, expressed confidence that the AC would be victorious at the 11 October, 2008 local government polls, considering the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola's administration in the last 400 days, which he said, 'speak volumes'.
Ajomale also revealed that civil servants would now take over the administration of the local governments for the next three months, contrary to the initial plan of appointing party members as caretaker committee chairmen for the councils.
This, he said, would save government money and as well create an open and neutral field for aspirants who may not be on good terms with those appointed to run the councils temporarily.