Alhaji Tunde Balogun, the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who emerged through consensus has applauded Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While delivering his acceptance speech at a well-attended Party congress at the Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Alhaji Balogun stated “I like to appreciate the diligent, pragmatic and visionary Governor General of Nigeria, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. Governor Ambode is blessed with an abundant physical energy. Apart from his clear vision of what he wants, the Governor goes about executing his programmes and projects with zeal and competence and that is why you find him in Surulere today; Ikeja tomorrow and like that everywhere,” Balogun said.

While commending members of the party for the confidence reposed in him, Balogun assured that the new executive, under his watch, would take the party to greater heights.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Election Organizing Committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife on Saturday linked the massive infrastructural renewal across the State to political stability being enjoyed in the State, saying it was time for such to be replicated nationwide to facilitate growth and development.

 Ekwunife particularly commended the seamless political transition and the peaceful conduct of members of the party throughout the congress, saying such political maturity was rare in the country.

Ekwunife, whose committee was appointed by the National Working Committee of APC to conduct the State congress, said it was time for the party to replicate the smooth political transition in Lagos nationwide.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); with members of the Election Organising Committee: Arch. Kabir Ibrahim (right); Sen. Uche Ekwunife (middle); Alfa Momoh Rabiu (2nd left) and Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo (left),

“We are very glad to be here; we have been here since yesterday and we have been interacting with members of the State Exco and other party leaders. We also had stakeholders meeting yesterday and we stand to say Lagos State is politically stable. Not only that we are here to conduct the congress, we are going to suggest to the party that other states should take Lagos State as a model.

“Without having political stability, you can’t have massive infrastructure anywhere. So, when you are outside Lagos and you are hearing that Lagos is performing; Lagos is growing; Lagos is expanding in terms of infrastructure, it is just about political stability. And it is only in Lagos that you see a chairman of a political party that has been chairman for the past years and there is so much joy in him handing over.

“So, Lagos State is not just having smooth transition in governance, it is also having smooth transition in the political party which is rare anywhere in the states,” Ekwunife said.

She commended the outgoing Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale for his commitment, zeal and trust in the party, saying that it was obvious that the progress of the party was paramount in the State.

Besides, Ekwunife said the congress conducted by her committee was the only authentic election to produce executives of the party in the State, saying any other one “is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

The congress, which was attended by the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, among others, produced Alhaji Tunde Balogun as the new Chairman of the party.

Other key state officials elected unanimously are State Deputy Chairman, Chief Sunday Ajose; Vice Chairman (West), Funsho Olugunde; Vice Chairman (East), Ashipa Olusanya; Vice Chairman (Central), Akeem Bamgbola; State Secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed; Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, among others.

Among party chieftains that graced the congress are Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa, Solomon Adeola, Ganiyu Solomon, Musiliu Obanikoro; former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; APC South West Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson; Chief Lanre Razak; Senior Special Assistant to the President Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Other newly elected executives are Femi Said, Deputy Secretary; Olasunbo Ajose, Treasurer; Joanna Asebobuyi, Deputy Treasurer; Oluyinka Osinubi, Financial Secretary; Bola Olajubi, Assistant Financial Secretary; Abiodun Salami, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Ademola Sadiq, Legal Adviser; Toke Benson, Assistant Legal Adviser; Ramota Bankole, Welfare Secretary; R. O Olorunfemi, Assistant Welfare Secretary; Abdullahi Enilolobo, Organising Secretary; Muftai Kadiku, Assistant Organising Secretary; Wale Aribiyi, Auditor; and Ismaila Azeez, Assistant Auditor.

Others are Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Women Leader; Kehinde Babalola, Assistant Women Leader; Kofoworola Ajayi, Senatorial Women Leader (West); Yeye Gbadebo, Senatorial Women Leader (East); Fadekemi Otitonaiye, Senatorial Women Leader (Central); Tayo Sanya-Olu, Youth Leader; Busola Akeredolu, Assistant Youth Leader; Lukmon Jimoh, Senatorial Youth Leader (West); Bashiru Adekoya, Senatorial Youth Leader (East); Hameed Olanrewaju, Senatorial Youth Leader (Central); Aregbe Idris, Youth Organising Secretary; Abu Akilapa, Ex-officio I; Obiangeli Onu, Ex-officio II; Ibrahim Patako, Ex-officio III; Bode Oyedele, Ex-officio IV; and Israel Akiode, physically-challenged.