By Bilesanmi Abayomi
As the race intensifies ahead of the rescheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos State, a councilorship aspirant for Ward A in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Comrade Olumide Donald, has called on party leaders to convene a public debate for all aspirants.
This comes in the wake of the recently released timetable for the 2025 local government elections by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), which fixed the polls for July 12, 2025.
Hon. Olumide, who is contesting under the banner of the Justice Forum — a prominent pro-Asiwaju platform within the APC — made the call in a statement issued to Kosofe Post on Monday morning. He said the debate would promote transparency, accountability, and help voters make informed choices at the grassroots level.
“We must move beyond voting based on sentiments and begin to assess our candidates based on their knowledge, preparedness, and capacity to lead,” he stated. “A public debate will ensure that voters know exactly what each aspirant stands for and can hold them accountable.”
According to him, the proposed debate should be non-partisan and moderated by an independent panel comprising community stakeholders and members of the media to guarantee fairness and widespread participation.
If adopted, the initiative could serve as a model for deepening grassroots democracy and encouraging greater civic engagement within the Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.