Key Takeaways
- APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has mandated Lagos leaders to ensure comprehensive victories for President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and all party candidates in the 2027 general elections.
- Yilwatda stressed the critical importance of party unity, reconciliation, and robust grassroots mobilization, warning against prioritizing personal ambitions over collective party goals.
- He highlighted Lagos's strategic importance due to its large voting population and expressed concern over the party's 2023 presidential election loss in the state.
- The Chairman urged leaders to strengthen relationships with grassroots supporters, effectively publicize the Tinubu administration's achievements, and address delays in submitting polling unit agent lists.
- Yilwatda called for an end to 'elective amnesia' and emphasized the need for party discipline, urging members to support candidates who emerge through established internal processes.
Lagos, Nigeria – The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has issued a powerful directive to party leaders and members in Lagos State, urging them to secure a resounding victory for President Bola Tinubu, governorship candidate Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and all other APC aspirants in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. The charge was delivered during a crucial one-day retreat for leaders and senior members of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
The retreat, aptly themed 'One Roof, One Tent, One Friend, One Shared Responsibility,' underscored the party's commitment to fostering unity, facilitating reconciliation among members, bolstering grassroots mobilization efforts, and meticulously preparing for the pivotal elections ahead. Professor Yilwatda's message was clear: all party leaders, political appointees, and existing party structures must align their efforts towards a singular, overarching objective – electoral success. He sternly cautioned against allowing personal interests to overshadow the collective ambition of the party.
The Imperative of Unity and Collective Ambition
“When we say we have one team, we simply mean that every leader, every appointee, every party structure must walk towards the bigger mission and vision of the party to win an election,” Yilwatda declared. “Anything outside that is personal interest. No single individual, regardless of how influential, can win an election.” This statement served as a potent reminder of the need for internal cohesion and a unified front, particularly in a politically diverse and competitive state like Lagos.
Lagos: A Strategic Battleground
Professor Yilwatda emphasized the strategic significance of his visit to Lagos, citing the state's immense voting population and the APC's unexpected loss in the 2023 presidential election within the state. “Lagos has over seven million registered voters. It is the centre of commerce, the political nerve of this country. If you win Lagos, you almost won Nigeria. If Lagos speaks, Nigeria speaks,” he asserted, highlighting the state's pivotal role in national politics.
He continued, “Secondly, I'm here because last election we lost Lagos. So I want to speak to Lagosians. This time around, it is our time to deliver Lagos. First to Mr. President, and then deliver our Governor, and deliver all our National Assembly members and House of Assembly members. This is a must-do for us.” This candid acknowledgment of past electoral setbacks underscores the party's determination to reclaim its dominance in the state.
Combating 'Elective Amnesia' and Grassroots Engagement
The national chairman urged party leaders to proactively strengthen their relationships with grassroots supporters and to communicate the administration's achievements more effectively to the electorate. He also warned against what he termed 'elective amnesia,' a phenomenon where voters support candidates at one level of government but fail to vote for other candidates of the same party. “If you vote for Mr. President and you don't have National Assembly, how do we run government? If you vote for Governor and you don't vote for House of Assembly to concur to constitutional amendments, how do you move forward? APC needs majority in National Assembly and House of Assembly,” he explained, stressing the interconnectedness of electoral victories across all tiers of government.
Reconciliation and Party Discipline
Addressing internal disagreements, Yilwatda acknowledged that differences and political ambitions are inherent in a large party but insisted they must not undermine its unity. Drawing from his own political journey, which saw him lose the 2023 governorship election before becoming a minister and then the APC national chairman, he urged aggrieved members to remain committed to the party. He encouraged leaders to identify dissatisfied members and create avenues for dialogue and reconciliation. “You may not have it today, but who told you tomorrow is same as yesterday? Work for party, stand for party. Let's do stakeholder mapping and look at people who are aggrieved. There must be room for dialogue and conciliation,” he advised.
He further warned members against undermining the party's internal processes due to personal preferences not being reflected in candidate selection. “Even if you don't like him, immediately he won election, he is now my candidate. He is now party candidate. Support them because that's what party has presented,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of party loyalty and discipline once candidates have emerged through established procedures.
Securing the Polling Units: A Critical Call to Action
A significant concern raised by the APC national chairman was the delay in submitting the list of polling unit agents from Lagos State. He warned that the party must avoid a repeat of the difficulties encountered during the previous election, where the party had to resort to legal action to complete its agents' list. “Elections end at polling unit. Do you have your agents? I'm yet to receive list of your agents from Lagos. Last election, APC had to go to court to complete list,” Yilwatda lamented. “This time, we must meet timeline. Why PDP couldn't take us to court on merit was because they had no agent in most polling units. We shouldn't be victims of ourselves.” He directed party leaders to mobilize 10 canvassers per polling unit and ensure the agents' list is digitized and uploaded promptly, underscoring the critical role of grassroots presence in safeguarding electoral outcomes.
Amplifying Administration's Achievements
On communication, Yilwatda stressed the need for the APC to do more to publicize the achievements of the Tinubu administration, noting that many beneficiaries of government projects were often unaware of the administration responsible. He listed major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Trans-Sahara Highway linking Calabar with northern states, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, and the Lagos Blue and Red rail lines. He also highlighted the administration's tax reforms, effective January 2026, which have reduced the tax burden on some low-income earners. “So many projects. People are beneficiaries, they don't even know. Why are we silent? Tell story, sing song. Tell them what APC has done,” he urged, emphasizing the power of effective communication in shaping public perception.
Yilwatda reiterated that the party transcends any individual, including President Tinubu and himself, citing the President's participation in party screening and primary elections as evidence of the importance of party rules. He concluded by urging members to prioritize collective responsibility, strengthen grassroots structures, and resolve internal disagreements well in advance of the 2027 elections. “Road to ballot requires preparation, patience, honest communication and willingness to put collective responsibility above personal differences. Let us build structures, strengthen relationships with grassroots, resolve differences. Let's make Lagos win this time,” he affirmed.
Why This Matters
Professor Yilwatda's stern charge to Lagos APC leaders highlights the party's strategic focus on the state for the 2027 elections, recognizing its immense political and economic significance. The emphasis on unity, grassroots mobilization, and effective communication is crucial for the APC to consolidate its base, counter opposition narratives, and avoid a repeat of past electoral setbacks, ultimately shaping the national political landscape.