Lagos LG Polls 73 candidates emerge at NCP primary

The National Conscience Party (NCP) onSaturday conducted its primary election whichsaw 73 candidates emerging for the w

July 22council polls.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reportsthat the candidates emerged throughconsensus, after party members presentendorsed their candidature by voice votes.The primary, which produced candidates whowould be contesting in 20 Local GovernmentAreas and 10 Local Development Areas, wasmonitored by an official of the Lagos StateIndependent Electoral Commission (LASIEC),Mr Kola Shittu.Some of the chairmanship candidates areLookman Mustapha (Agege), Biodun Oyeyemi(Orile Agege), Bosah Emeka (AjeromiIfelodun), Monday Samuel (Alimosho) andFatai Ibuowo, who is state chairman of theparty, (Oshodi/Isolo).The councillorship candidates that emergedinclude Fasugba Lukman (Orile Agege), IsholaMusbau (Lagos Mainland), and OlapadeGeorge (Oshodi /Isolo).Speaking at the primary, Ibu Owo commendedthe party members for the peaceful mannerthe election was conducted.He congratulated the candidates on theirvictory and urged them to quickly reach outto the electorate to ensure a good outing forthe party.The chairman said the party had the ultimateagenda to control the state government andurged candidates to use the council polls asa launch pad to realise the agenda.Ibu-Owo said the party initially intended tocontest in all the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs butthe administrative fees charged by LASEICdiscouraged some party members in someareas.“However, thank God that we are still able tohave candidates for 30 council areas despitethe illegal fees to sideline us.“We have already taken LASIEC to court onthe matter and we are sure of justice.“We are not going to take anything otherthan outright cancellation of the fees,’’ hesaid.Ibu-Owo described the decision of mostpolitical parties in the state to agree withLASIEC on the downward review of the feesas shocking, saying it amounted tocompromise.He said his party would do everythingpossible to ensure the election was free andfair.NAN reports that LASIEC has fixed July 22 forthe election and July 29 for run-off.