Lagos APC Warns Opposition Against Relying on Public Anger to Challenge Tinubu

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned opposition parties that public dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration alone will not guarantee electoral success in the 2027 general elections.

The party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said opposition parties must develop effective political strategies, strengthen their internal structures and present credible alternatives to Nigerians rather than assume that economic hardship would automatically translate into electoral victory.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oladejo described the belief that public anger against the ruling party would be sufficient to defeat Tinubu as politically naive.

He argued that although economic difficulties and dissatisfaction with government policies could create opportunities for opposition parties, such sentiments would not necessarily determine which political party benefits from them.

“The opposition’s difficulties are compounded by the assumption that economic hardship, public dissatisfaction, and criticism of government policies will automatically translate into electoral victory,” he said.

“Public discontent may create an opportunity, but it does not determine which party will benefit from it.”

Oladejo accused opposition leaders of concentrating more on criticising the APC-led government than resolving their internal disputes and building a coordinated campaign ahead of the next election.

He said disagreements over leadership, presidential ambitions, party platforms, power-sharing arrangements and candidate selection had continued to undermine efforts to establish a united opposition front.

According to him, opposition politicians often appear united when criticising Tinubu but struggle to maintain that unity when decisions involving leadership and the coordination of a common electoral strategy become necessary.

The APC spokesman contrasted the situation with what he described as the ruling party’s growing political alliances and organisational strength under Tinubu’s leadership.

He cited the APC’s network of governors, experienced politicians, grassroots mobilisers and campaign strategists as important elements of its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Oladejo also pointed to the participation of prominent politicians from other parties in Tinubu’s re-election campaign, arguing that the President had demonstrated an ability to attract support beyond the APC.

Among those he mentioned were Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was elected on the platform of the Accord Party, and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Adeleke was assigned a coordinating role in Tinubu’s campaign in Osun, while Soludo was given a similar responsibility in Anambra.

Oladejo also referred to the campaign role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the involvement of such political figures demonstrated the APC’s capacity to build alliances without requiring participants to abandon their respective political parties.

However, the spokesman cautioned that political endorsements and alliances alone would not guarantee victory, insisting that the party must translate its organisational strength into effective grassroots mobilisation and governance.

He challenged opposition parties to demonstrate that they could manage internal disagreements, agree on a common direction and present a convincing programme for addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

“A shared dislike of an incumbent is not a governing philosophy. A collection of presidential ambitions is not a coalition. Nor does assembling a list of famous politicians automatically produce an electoral machine capable of winning a national contest,” Oladejo said.

He also warned the APC against complacency, noting that endorsements from prominent politicians should not be mistaken for guaranteed votes.

According to him, the ruling party would ultimately be judged by its performance in government, the effectiveness of its policies, improvements in citizens’ welfare and its ability to ease economic pressures.

Oladejo maintained that the 2027 electoral contest would depend on political organisation, public persuasion, credibility and the competing policy proposals presented to voters.

He urged opposition parties to address their organisational weaknesses and leadership disputes if they hoped to mount a serious challenge against the ruling party.

His remarks come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship, governance, party alliances and the search for a common opposition platform emerging as major issues in the political debate.