Lagos APC: We won’t allow repeat of 2023 Defeat

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set a target of nearly three million votes for President Bola Tinubu and the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, vowing that it would not allow a repeat of its defeat in the state during the 2023 presidential election.

The Director-General of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, disclosed this on Sunday at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, where he also announced plans for the unveiling of Hamzat’s governorship manifesto ahead of the 2027 election.

According to Obanikoro, the party had learnt important lessons from the 2023 election, when the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, defeated Tinubu in Lagos, securing 582,454 votes against the APC candidate’s 572,606 votes.

Describing the outcome as a wake-up call, the former Minister said the APC had since taken steps to strengthen its membership base and improve its mobilisation ahead of the next general election.

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“That time (2023), I want to tell you, was a wake-up call for us, and we have woken up,” Obanikoro said.

“You know what it means to wake up a hungry tiger? It’s bad news. That’s exactly what the opposition has done. They have woken up a hungry tiger, and it is going to roar.”

He said the APC had registered about one million members in Lagos, adding that the party expected a substantial proportion of them to turn out and vote during the election.

“For the first time in the history of our party, we registered about one million. Already, we have provided a solution by beefing up our membership,” he said.

Explaining how the party arrived at its projected votes, Obanikoro said: “So, in a worst-case scenario, let’s say 70 or 80 per cent of our members come out, which they will do. That is already 800,000 votes.

“Let’s assume they will bring a minimum of one voter. That is 1.6 million votes. No matter how much some of these opposition members hate us, there are APC lovers in this state of ours who, come rain or shine, will come out and vote for us. Modestly, we are looking at almost three million votes.”

Obanikoro said the campaign council would intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state to achieve the target.

“We will go throughout the length and breadth of Lagos State, all the nooks and crannies of Lagos. We will go there and canvass for votes,” he said.

“We are going to win and record an unprecedented number of votes for both Asiwaju and Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.”

Hamzat’s manifesto to be unveiled October 30

The campaign council also announced that the APC would unveil Hamzat’s manifesto on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, in Iganmu, Lagos.

He said the manifesto would outline the governorship candidate’s vision, priorities and plans for the continued development of Lagos State.

“I am pleased to announce that the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress will unveil the manifesto of our governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, popularly known as KOH, on Friday, October 30, 2026,” he said.

Obanikoro explained that the document would focus on sustaining development while addressing challenges facing residents across the state.

“Our campaign is anchored on two principles: continued shared progress and inclusivity,” he said.

“Continued shared progress means working together to build a stronger Lagos on the foundation and master plan, creating more opportunities, and improving the lives of our people without break in continuity. Inclusivity means that nobody should be left behind because of religion, tribe, gender, social status, or place of origin.”

He added that the campaign believed Lagos residents should have a voice in shaping the state’s future, irrespective of their backgrounds.

“Lagos belongs to all of us, for those who call it home, while respecting and preserving the indigenous people of Lagos State. Every resident and taxpayer has a stake in its future, and every community deserves to be heard,” he said.

Obanikoro added that arrangements would be made to make the manifesto available for download after its presentation, allowing members of the public to study the proposals and submit feedback through appropriate party channels.

He said the campaign had already held consultations with religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, young people, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other stakeholders.

“These consultations are important because we believe that leadership must listen before it acts. We want the concerns of ordinary Lagosians to inform our priorities. We want a development agenda that reflects the realities of our people,” he said.

The campaign DG also highlighted Hamzat’s academic qualifications, private-sector career and years in public service, describing the combination as relevant to the demands of governing Lagos.

Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, holds a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University in England. He also worked in the private sector, including at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, before joining public service.