TheCable

Security has been beefed up around the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Lagos, ahead of the chapter’s state congress on Saturday.

Scores of armed security officials were stationed around the secretariat, where the congress would hold.

Opposite the secretariat, some armed policemen were seen standing by an armoured personnel carrier stationed there.

Others were in three patrol vans, watching around the secretariat.

Private security guards manning the secretariat gate were also seen screening visitors to the party office.

However, the heavy security did not prevent some party members from staging a protest at the secretariat.

At least 100 protesters, all female, from the Odi-Olowo area of the state, protested the candidature of  Adeyemi Idera for an executive position in Saturday’s congress.

The women, all carrying placards rejecting Idera, said the chieftain no longer enjoyed the support of members in Odi-Olowo.

“We don’t want her. She should not represent us. She does not enjoy our support,” Mulikat Adeola, who led the protest said.

Funsho Ologunde, vice chairman of the party, who addressed the protesters urged them to remain calm.

He said the protest was not necessary as the chieftain’s name was not on the list of candidates.

“We are in the month of Ramadan, so we should not embark on things that will wear us out. The protest is not necessary, the name of Idera is not on the candidates’ list. That I can assure you,” he said.

Thereafter, the protesters started singing and dancing following Ologunde’s assurance.

Speaking on preparations for the congress, Abiodun Salami, assistant publicity of the party, said all arrangements had been concluded.

He said 2500 delegates would elect 27 executive members at the congress.

He also said that one of the executive positions would be reserved for a member living with disability in line with the party’s policy of inclusiveness.

He added that the security in place at the secretariat on Friday was a measure of the watertight security that would be in place at the congress proper on Saturday.

“We are set for the congress on Saturday. The candidates have obtained forms and submitted,” he said.

“All arrangements have been perfected including security; you can see the atmosphere, it is going to be watertight tomorrow.

“We are set for our state congress and I can assure, it is going to be successful.”