The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has issued a stern warning to local government chairmen who reside outside the boundaries of their designated council areas, vowing that such actions will no longer be tolerated and will attract disciplinary measures.
This declaration was made by the State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during the party’s Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the State House in Marina on Tuesday.
The event, which was hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also served as the formal launch of the APC’s campaign activities ahead of the forthcoming local government elections across the state.
Ojelabi, in a no-nonsense tone, stressed the importance of council leaders being physically present and accessible within their localities.
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He maintained that leaders who choose to live elsewhere are disconnected from the communities they serve and risk losing the trust of the people.
“We won’t tolerate any council chairman that lives outside his council area,” Ojelabi said emphatically. “Any chairman found to be operating from outside their designated jurisdiction will be sanctioned accordingly.”
The APC chairman’s comments come amidst growing concern from citizens about the perceived inaccessibility and absenteeism of some local government leaders.
Ojelabi further urged chairmanship candidates, especially those vying for re-election, to adopt a people-first approach in governance.
He encouraged them to implement people-oriented programs and maintain open-door policies to foster trust and accountability.
“Leadership is not about distance. It is about presence, accessibility, and a genuine commitment to solving the people’s problems,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was present at the event, echoed similar sentiments and expressed his administration’s full support for efforts to ensure that governance at the grassroots is effective, transparent, and responsive to the needs of Lagosians.
The meeting also included discussions on campaign strategy, party unity, voter mobilization, and the importance of performance-based assessments for elected officials.
TheGazelle
