The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is mobilising to prevent Peter Obi from repeating his 2023 presidential election victory in the state. The party has vowed to strengthen its political structures and secure support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, described the party’s defeat in Lagos during the last presidential election as a wake-up call. In an interview with reporters, he said the party was reaching out to voters across states and local government areas to highlight the achievements of Tinubu’s administration.
Ojelabi said the APC was not taking its position as the ruling party for granted, adding that various support groups had emerged across the country to demonstrate their backing for Tinubu. He urged voters to take ownership of the 2027 election and decide whether the administration should continue.
Asked how the party planned to prevent another defeat in Lagos, Ojelabi expressed confidence that the APC would perform better. He said the 2023 outcome had strengthened the party and prompted it to reassess its approach, but declined to disclose specific strategies for countering Obi’s influence.
The APC chairman also backed the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He said the political affiliations of the groups involved mattered less than their shared commitment to securing Tinubu’s return to office.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi, who contested on the Labour Party platform, polled 582,454 votes in Lagos to defeat Tinubu. Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party secured 75,750 votes, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party received 8,844 votes.
Obi won nine local government areas, including Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Kosofe and Alimosho, while Tinubu won 11, including Mushin, Agege, Ikorodu and Surulere. The 2027 election is expected to test the APC’s efforts to strengthen its support across the state, particularly in areas Obi won in 2023.
