2027: Lagos APC Warns Peter Obi Against Relying on 2023 Momentum
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, against relying on his political popularity in the 2023 general elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
The party said Obi would need to demonstrate ideological consistency, present credible policies and build a strong political structure to remain competitive in the next presidential election.
The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, stated this on Monday in a statement titled, “2027: Peter Obi and the Expiration Date of Political Momentum.”
Oladejo acknowledged that Obi’s 2023 campaign benefited from public dissatisfaction, youth participation and social media mobilisation. However, he argued that the enthusiasm generated during an election campaign did not automatically translate into lasting political support.
He said, “Obi appears to have mistaken a moment of extraordinary political momentum for a permanent entitlement to electoral relevance.”
According to Oladejo, Obi failed to convert the support he received in 2023 into a durable political structure capable of sustaining his electoral prospects.
He added that rallies and social media visibility could not replace grassroots mobilisation and an effective national political organisation.
“No two elections are the same. The 2023 phenomenon drew strength from a particular combination of public frustration and novelty. There is no guarantee these factors will reproduce in 2027,” he said.
The APC spokesman also questioned Obi’s movement across political parties, citing his previous affiliations with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and his subsequent political realignments ahead of the 2027 election.
Oladejo said the changes raised questions about political conviction, arguing that political parties should be built around enduring principles rather than individual ambitions.
He also challenged Obi to provide clearer explanations of his policy proposals, particularly on inflation, unemployment, public debt and energy.
According to him, aspiring presidents must explain how their policies would work, the resources required to implement them and the trade-offs involved.
Oladejo further criticised Obi’s repeated use of the phrase “go and verify”, arguing that some of the claims made by the former Anambra State governor had faced questions over their accuracy.
He said the Obidient movement would need to move beyond protest and political mobilisation to develop a structured organisation capable of sustaining a national coalition.
“The 2027 election will not be decided by who can most successfully recreate emotions of 2023. It will be decided by who can persuade Nigerians that they possess competence, credibility, organisation and vision,” Oladejo said.
He added that electoral success depended on performance, public confidence and the ability to persuade voters, rather than a candidate’s previous popularity.
“Momentum is an opportunity, not a permanent political asset,” he said.
