Kunle Adelabu
Former Council Leader, Ikorodu Local Government Legislative Arm, Hon. Jimoh Azeez Olosugbo has stated that the ongoing revalidation/registration exercise by the All Progressives (APC) will assist the party in using data generated to plan for 2023 general elections.
The former Councillor, who is also the Supervisor for the registration exercise in Ikorodu LG, also stated that the exercise has provided the party the opportunity to know those that are no longer in the party and also give new ones the opportunity to join.
He spoke with THE IMPACT at the weekend while supervising the exercise in Ikorodu.
“The exercise, for me, is important because some people that registered as members of APC some six or five years ago have left to other parties while many have also left their parties and are willing to join our party. There is an absolute need to revalidate old members and also give new ones the opportunity to identify with us.
“For me, it is a good initiative and needed at this political period, especially with the coming elections in 2023 where you need to reorganize your political base at the local, state and national level for you to know what you have in your basket and know what you are working on.
“It is also good for our projection because in APC registration, they will request for your Voters’ card and this will makes us know those that are interested in our political parties but do not have Voter’s card and this will also makes us to know how to support INEC in conducting voters’ registration and why they need to have more hands for the exercise because of the large number of residents in Ikorodu.
“It is an important process. It is about collecting data and projection. It would also allow us to know the percentage of youths, women, elderly in our political party which will help the party in drafting its manifestoes among others”, he said.
Hon. Olosugbo, stating that the registration exercise has achieved 95% in terms of performance, also added that the outcome will also help Ikorodu in making demand on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the need to re – delineate polling units with new realities on ground in the Division.
“There has been no threat to the process but challenges due to the Ikorodu landmass and the distance among many polling units which are very far apart. This is part of the things that we are looking out for so that we can tell the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-delineate units in Ikorodu LGA”, the political strategist said.
“There are some units that are very close, but there are so many others that are far apart and causing mobility challenges, which is the major challenge that we are experiencing but we thank God that we have been able to cover 95% of the registration for the first batch.
“At least, out of the 330 polling units that we have, we have been able to cover 95% successfully.
“We are expecting the second batch of materials that have been rolled out now, for us to continue and complete the exercise.
“The turnout has been massive and we have been receiving calls from people that are still eager to register and revalidate their members with our party”, he said.
