APC
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, May 24, 2018 (NAN) Chief Henry Ajomale has bowed out as the Lagos Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ajomale bowed out on Thursday immediately after the inauguration of the new executive of the party, led by Alhaji Tunde Balogun, at the party’s Secretariat in Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that his leaving office before the June expiry date of his tenure elicited outpour of emotions by party members.
Members celebrated the service of the former Chairman to the party by rolling out drums and showering encomiums on him.
Speaking with newsmen after announcing his departure from the ACME Road Secretariat, Ajomale said he was fulfilled as he had acquitted himself well as chairman.
He said he did his best to ensure the party was on winning ways in the state, even in difficult times.
Ajomale said he was also able to build a cohesive party chapter that had produced transformational leaders in the state.
“I thank God for what has been achieved and what is happening now.
“I thank God that we were always winning elections and that we have produced governors, senators and other political office holders from the party.
“Even when Obasanjo did everything to win the state in the 2003 elections, we thank God a tiny state was retained by the progressives while others in the South West were won by him.
“I thank God for all that was recorded by the party under my leadership and I thank all party members for the support,” he said.
He also thanked Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his consistent support, saying it was instrumental to whatever he might have achieved.
Ajomale said the party needed to do more in the area youth and women development, to ensure quality succession.
“I think we need to do more in the area of youth and women development for more progress of our party.
“The youths particularly are the future; when the older ones die off, they are the ones to take over the party.
“We should therefore start to develop them, give them the right orientation so as to take charge in the future,” he said.
Ajomale promised to always give the new executive support when needed.
He said he trusted in the capacity of the new chairman to take the party to the next level, urging party members to support them to succeed.
Ajomale said he decided to leave office before the expiration of his tenure in June to enable the new executive settle down for work.
He said he believed allowing them to quickly take charge would help them to confront the challenges ahead.
“The congress has been conducted, so what else? I think it is better to leave to make them have a feel of things so that they can start preparing.
“If I wait till June to leave, and we start primaries in August, you will know it is not going to be that easy.
“So it is better they start early so as to prepare early for the progress of our party,” he said.
On the parallel congress on Saturday, he would rather see it as a protest and not a congress.
Ajomale said what was held could not be called a congress because it was not monitored by party officials from Abuja or INEC officials.
He urged those who had grievances to channel them appropriately for the continued peace and progress of the party. (NAN)
BHB/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle