2027: Lagos East APC Leaders Warn Against Infighting, Call for Unity

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East Senatorial District have raised concerns over growing internal divisions within the party, warning that continued infighting could jeopardise its chances in the 2027 general elections.

The warning was issued on Thursday during the Lagos East Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Lagos, where the senator representing the district, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, called for renewed unity among party members.

Abiru acknowledged the existence of factional disagreements within the district and appealed to party leaders to initiate reconciliation efforts to address lingering grievances among aggrieved members.

He stressed that unity within the party was critical as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

According to him, the APC must present a united front to secure a second-term mandate for President Bola Tinubu, noting that the President has taken bold and difficult decisions which, he said, are beginning to stabilise the economy and justify continuity.

In his remarks, Ojelabi described Lagos East as a stronghold of committed party members who have consistently contributed to the growth of the APC. However, he expressed concern over what he described as declining discipline among leaders and members, warning that indiscipline could undermine collective achievements.

“Discipline is fundamental to what we are doing; without it, we will achieve nothing,” Ojelabi said.

“The race for 2027 has already begun, and as a party we are determined to make sacrifices and deepen internal democracy. Unity and cohesion are essential, and we must learn to manage our differences. Members should settle their disputes,” he added.

Ojelabi also urged council chairmen and party leaders across the district to mobilise residents to participate in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise to strengthen the party’s grassroots base.

Former Senator representing Lagos East, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, cautioned the party against complacency, drawing lessons from the experience of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which once projected prolonged dominance but lost power after 16 years.

“We must avoid complacency and remain vigilant,” Mamora said, adding that members should support party leaders, while leaders must also fulfil their responsibilities to members.

Speaking on behalf of council chairmen in the district, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Chairman of Conference 57, Abdullahi Sesan-Olowa, lamented the negative impact of internal conflicts on political development in Lagos East.

“We are far from where we should be politically in Lagos East. As council chairmen, we need to re-strategise, remain united and foster mutual understanding,” he said.

The meeting was attended by members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, members of the House of Representatives including Wale Raji and Kafilat Ogbara, Lagos State House of Assembly members from Lagos East, council chairmen from the five local governments in the district, and members of the Lagos State Executive Council from the area.