APT Election: CSO Chuka Mekaowulu Declares for President
The race for the presidency of the Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Trade Fair Market, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, has begun to gather momentum, with the market’s Chief Security Officer, Chief Chuka Christian Mekaowulu, formally declaring his intention to contest the forthcoming election.
Mekaowulu made his declaration during a media conference at the APT ultramodern secretariat in the market on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, barely two months before the expected change of leadership.
Known for his role in security management at the market, Mekaowulu said his decision to seek the presidency was informed by a desire to build on his experience in securing lives and property and contribute more broadly to the development of APT.
“By the grace of God, I want to run for the office of the president,” he declared.
Reflecting on his record as CSO, Mekaowulu said security would remain one of the foundations of his campaign, noting that he had spent almost eight years helping to protect traders, customers and other stakeholders within APT and the wider Trade Fair environment.
“My chances of winning the election start with security. With the help of God, I tried in this area to make sure the lives and properties of stakeholders in APT and in Trade Fair in general are secured,” he said.
His tenure as CSO has been associated with the increased deployment of digital and electronic security systems, including extensive CCTV surveillance. The cameras provide monitoring coverage across different sections of the market, with activities monitored from his office at the main gate.
Mekaowulu also pointed to infrastructure and administrative improvements achieved under the present APT leadership, including the construction of an ultramodern secretariat and clinic, as well as the renovation and modernisation of the market’s main gate.
“We renovated our gate to make it modernised. This is like the kind of gates you see in Amuwo and Festac. People who come here can’t believe that this kind of gate is in a market,” he said.
He further explained that four blocks of extension shops were constructed during the tenure, while land was acquired from the Trade Fair Management Board, the market’s landlord, and subsequently made available to stakeholders for development.
“During our tenure, four blocks of extension shops were built. Many plazas were built by individuals, but it was under our government that we acquired the land from the Trade Fair Management Board, which is our landlord. We sold it to the stakeholders,” he said.
Beyond physical infrastructure and security, Mekaowulu said human capital development would be a major focus of his proposed administration if elected.
He pledged to empower at least 200 youths in the market, describing youth development as an important component of his vision for a more progressive and sustainable APT.
The CSO, whose chieftaincy title is Chinwatakweaku Na Okodu Oboli Riru Agu Na Lagos State, has also attracted recognition from several organisations for his work in security management, leadership and humanitarian activities.
Among the recognitions displayed at his office are awards from the Council of African Youth, Umuoji Improvement Union of Nigeria, West Africa Initiative for Leadership, Ohanaeze, Nigeria Peace Magazine, Citizen Welfare Foundation, Zenith News International, Leadership Enhancement Initiatives and Hope for All Africa Orphanage, among others.
His recognitions include the Beacon of Hope for the Advancement of Africa’s Development, Achievers Award, Special Achievement Award in Security Management and Exemplary Leadership, Distinguished Philanthropist Award, Peace Ambassador in Nation Building, Integrity Leadership Award, Security Excellence Award, Ambassador of Peace and Integrity, Humanitarian Gift Award, and Living Hero Award 2023/2024.
With the APT election expected to hold between November and December 2026, Mekaowulu is positioning his experience in security, infrastructure development and youth empowerment as central elements of his bid to lead the association.
For traders and other stakeholders in one of Lagos’ major commercial hubs, the emerging contest is expected to place issues of security, infrastructure, youth development, welfare and effective market administration at the centre of the debate over the next leadership of APT.
By Innocent Onoh
