The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a directive to its candidates, requiring them to remain in Nigeria until after the 2027 general elections. This directive was given by the state APC chairman, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, during the inauguration of the APC Tinubu-Hamzat Campaign Council at the party secretariat in Ikeja. The council was established to coordinate the party's campaign for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos governorship candidate, Mr Femi Hamzat.
The campaign council was set up to oversee the party's campaign efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. Mr Ojelabi urged the candidates to work closely with the campaign council and remain actively involved in grassroots mobilisation. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and grassroots involvement, stating that the party plans to achieve its target of five million votes in Lagos State through coordinated grassroots mobilisation.
The APC is targeting five million votes in Lagos State for the 2027 elections. To achieve this target, the party plans to take the campaign to the grassroots through its structures across the senatorial districts, local government areas, wards, and polling units. Mr Ojelabi also warned APC members against taking the opposition for granted, urging them to remain focused and work together to achieve the party's electoral objectives.
Mr Ojelabi appealed to party members to maintain peace throughout the campaign, urging them to avoid hatred, thuggery, and violence. He stressed the importance of a peaceful and issue-based campaign, stating that the party's success depends on its ability to work together and maintain a positive image. The party is taking steps to ensure that its campaign efforts are well-coordinated and effective.
The directive to candidates not to leave Nigeria until after the elections is part of the party's efforts to ensure their active involvement in the campaign. Mr Ojelabi stated that no candidate is allowed to travel outside the country until after the general elections, emphasizing the importance of their presence and involvement in the campaign efforts.
The Human Rights Advocacy Coalition, a civil society group, has condemned a recent political clash in Delta State, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible. The group described the incident as an aftermath of "primitive and aggressive tribalism," stating that it was an existential assault on human dignity and a fundamental betrayal of the social contract.
In a separate development, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the OK Movement, a support group backing Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The NDC described the campaign council as unauthorised, stating that it did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by members of the public and the media.
Key points
- The APC has directed its candidates to remain in Nigeria until after the 2027 general elections.
- The party is targeting five million votes in Lagos State for the 2027 elections.
- The NDC has dissociated itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the OK Movement.
