Newly elected ward executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were on Thursday evening sworn in across the seven wards of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), with party leaders charging them to demonstrate commitment and dedication to grassroots mobilisation ahead of future elections.
The inauguration ceremony in Ward F formed part of the simultaneous swearing-in exercise conducted across the LCDA. The event began with the
accreditation of the 27 ward executives, followed by an opening prayer before the oath-taking ceremony administered by Barre Benson Segun Osasona.
Addressing the newly inaugurated executives, party leader Ganiu Balogun (JP) urged them to take their responsibilities seriously, stressing that each executive member must play an active role in strengthening the party at the grassroots.
He tasked every executive to mobilise voters at their respective polling units, urging them to ensure that no fewer than 25 voters are delivered from each polling booth during the next election.
In his remarks, the immediate past ward councillor and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the ward, Abdulsalami Aweda, cautioned the executives against turning their positions into platforms for caucus rivalry.
According to him, although members of the executive emerged from different caucuses, the responsibility of leadership requires unity of purpose and commitment to service.
“The ward executive position is not meant for caucus promotion, nor is it a position for people to collect and return home to relax. It is a call to duty. Your recognition and relevance will grow according to the impact you make through service,” he said.
Aweda also noted that significant political activities lie ahead, particularly with forthcoming elections, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda would continue to engage committed members of the executive in advancing the party’s programmes at the grassroots.
Also speaking, an apex leader in the ward, Chief Mrs. Fatai Bello, advised the new executives to work collectively for the progress of the party.
She stressed that promotion within the party structure, from ward level to the local government level, would depend largely on the level of commitment and performance demonstrated by each member.
Similarly, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Legislative and Political Matters in the cabinet of Olufemi Okeowo, Ayodeji Saliu, urged the executives to understand the responsibilities attached to their respective portfolios.
He explained that holding an office in the party comes with defined duties, noting that officers must show discipline and organisation in carrying out their tasks.
“For instance, the Organising Secretary should always be among the first to arrive at meetings to arrange the venue and ensure proper seating before others come in, rather than arriving last,” he said.
In the same vein, the Special Duties Officer to the council chairman and former Ward F Chairman, Mutolib Ojulari, congratulated the newly inaugurated executives while advising first-time office holders to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them not to allow inexperience to hinder their performance, encouraging them instead to seek guidance from experienced colleagues, ward leaders, and apex party figures whenever necessary.
Also speaking, the serving ward councillor and Leader of the 6th Legislative House, Ilesanmi Elijah Oluwatosin, congratulated the executives and charged them to rise to the responsibilities of their offices, reminding them of the enormous task of strengthening the party ahead of future political engagements.
Earlier, the Ward Chairman, Sule Ijoba Olaiya, who also chairs the forum of ward chairmen in the LCDA, reaffirmed the commitment of the executives to the party’s ideals.
“As the captain of this team, I can confidently say that the executives are ready and equal to the task before us,” he said.
