Elected council chairmen and their deputies in Lagos State should henceforth reside in their local governments, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

According to the chapter, a stiff penalty awaits any council helmsman that flouts the directive.

Its Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who spoke at the ‘Stakeholders’ Special Engagement with Mr. Governor,’ said the party would always demand transparency, accountability and good governance.

The meeting was organised by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who urged the chairmen  to carry along the vice chairmen in running the affairs of the local governments.

He also admonished the chairmen to campaign for votes on the platform of the party and not as members of rival caucuses in the party.

The governor presented party flags to the 57 chairmanship candidates and their running mates at the meeting held at the State House, Marina.

He warned against aloofness, complacency and over-confidence, saying that every politics is local.

Sanwo-Olu, whose 60th birthday was partly celebrated at the meeting, added: “President Tinubu has given us opportunities in Lagos. He said, we should continue to hold his base very well.

“Every election is local. Don’t take anything for granted because we are in control of the centre, the state and the local government. You should go and work.”

The governor’s wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, enjoined women to troop out on poll day to vote for the APC candidates.

She called for peace and unity in the party, saying that these virtues should also be sustained in the state.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu said: “The power of the woman is her voice and I want you to use it productively to improve our nation. “

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, said: We should come out to work for the victory of our party. The candidates should reach out to other aspirants and ensure reconciliation.”

Elderststesman Tajudeen Olusi, who chairs the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), advised the potential local government functionaries to shun the love of money, which is the root of all evils.

Olusi also urged them to emulate the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Governor Lateef Jakande, President Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu, whose records of performance in public life are unassailable.

Ojelabi, who stated that council chairmen would be monitored, insisted: “No council chairman should reside outside the local government. “

He stressed: ”They must reside in the local government. Anytime information reaches us that you are not living in your council, you will be sanctioned.”

At the meeting were Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abimbola Hundeyin Salu, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Prince Murphy Adetoro, Olorunfunmi Basorun, Otunba, Femi Pedro, Senator Idiat Adebule, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Asipa, Kaoli Olusanya, Oyinlomo Danmole, Bimpe Adesola, Olawale Oshun, Moruf Akinderu Fatai,, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Senator Tony Adefuye, Joe Igbokwe, Demola Sodiq, Ayodele Adewale, Lateef Ibirogba, Abiodun Mafe, Muritala, Seriki, and Rasaq Ajala.