Lagos APC leaders express confidence in Tinubu’s re-election bid, claiming the party has addressed the weaknesses that contributed to its 2023 presidential election loss in the state.
Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have dismissed concerns about Peter Obi’s potential influence in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the opposition figure does not pose a serious challenge to the ruling party in the state.
The APC leaders made their position known on Thursday while speaking with journalists at the launch of the Iyaloja General Movement (IGM), a political organisation established by President Bola Tinubu’s daughter and Nigeria’s Iyaloja General, Dr Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, in Abuja.
The movement was launched to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The Lagos State Director-General of the group, Barrister Adejumbo Omofumilewa, described the inauguration as a mini-rally in support of the president and expressed confidence that the APC would secure a stronger performance in Lagos in the next election.
APC Says It Has Addressed 2023 Electoral Setbacks
Omofumilewa attributed the party’s defeat in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election to its failure to properly understand the political situation at the time.
He described the outcome as a betrayal but maintained that the factors responsible had since been addressed.
“What happened in 2023 that made our candidate lose the presidential election in Lagos State has already been taken care of, because now, everybody is following him,” he said.
The APC chieftain also dismissed the possibility of Obi or any opposition party threatening the ruling party’s electoral dominance in Lagos.
“Obi is not a threat, neither is any party a threat in Lagos State. We are in charge,” Omofumilewa declared.
Iyaloja General Movement Claims 2,500 Support Groups
The Director-General of the Iyaloja General Movement, Dr Nasiru Ladan, disclosed that the organisation had attracted more than 2,500 support groups since its formation, adding that additional organisations had indicated interest in joining.
He explained that the groups had been incorporated into the movement’s structure, which is developing a database of supporters across states, local government areas and wards.
According to Ladan, the organisation has already commenced grassroots mobilisation nationwide.
“We have just started; it has been launched today, and we have machinery in motion in all the states, local governments, up to the ward level,” he said.
He added that the movement intends to deploy 10 facilitators to every polling unit, with each person expected to mobilise 100 voters.
Ladan said the strategy was designed to help the organisation achieve its target of 10 million votes, although he did not provide details on how the target would be calculated or independently verified.
Lagos APC Chairman Says Party Is Preparing for 2027
The Lagos State APC Chairman, Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi, said the party was taking its preparations for the 2027 elections seriously and would not leave any aspect of its mobilisation strategy to chance.
Ojelabi noted that political activities and support-group engagements were increasingly focused on the APC as the party intensified its nationwide campaign efforts.
He said the party was reaching out to voters to explain the achievements of the Tinubu administration and seek support for its plans to consolidate on those accomplishments.
The Lagos APC chairman also described the 2023 presidential election result in the state as a wake-up call, noting that Lagos had been governed by the same political party since 1999.
According to him, the experience had strengthened the party’s resolve to engage more closely with voters and expand its mobilisation efforts ahead of the next election.
Ojelabi further commended Tinubu-Ojo for bringing Iyaloja General representatives from different parts of the country together under the movement, saying the initiative would encourage them to take ownership of the 2027 electoral campaign.
IGM Coordinator Promises Strong Support in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Iyaloja General Movement, Prince Mendy Achibong, also expressed confidence in the organisation’s prospects in the state.
Achibong said the movement had established a strong presence in Akwa Ibom and pledged that the state would deliver more than 80 per cent of its votes to President Tinubu in the 2027 election.
He added that the projected support would exceed the president’s performance in the state during the previous presidential election.
The APC leaders’ remarks reflect the party’s growing mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, as political groups seek to strengthen their structures and consolidate support across states and local communities.
