…Warn against internal divisions, urge grassroots mobilisation ahead of elections
By Kayode Olopade
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and the state chairman of the party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, have called on aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party leaders, who spoke on Monday at the ongoing Lagos APC Campaign Council Retreat at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, stressed that unity, effective coordination and sustained grassroots mobilisation would be critical to the party’s electoral success.
The retreat, themed “The Road to the Ballot: One Team, One Strategy,” brought together party leaders and campaign stakeholders to develop strategies for the forthcoming elections.
Yilwatda, who urged party members to put their differences behind them, warned that the APC could not afford a repeat of its performance in Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election.
He called on Lagos residents to vote massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, describing the election as an opportunity to demonstrate support for the President’s leadership and ongoing programmes.
The national chairman also appealed to members who felt aggrieved over the allocation of party positions or other internal disputes to set aside their grievances and work collectively for the party’s victory.
While acknowledging the APC’s numerical strength and extensive political structures across the country, Yilwatda maintained that these advantages would count for little without unity and a common purpose.
“What is the value of a great party and members who are not united? What is the value of great structures that are pulling themselves down? Numbers don’t matter when you don’t have a united front. Numbers only matter in our unity,” he said.
He also challenged political appointees to demonstrate commitment to the party, insisting that those appointed to political offices could not distance themselves from partisan responsibilities on the grounds that they were technocrats.
“Some claim they are technocrats. The appointment is not a technocratic appointment. If you don’t want to be a politician, don’t take up a political appointment,” he declared.
Yilwatda described the road to the ballot as a collective responsibility requiring discipline, coordination and commitment from all party leaders, appointees and campaign officials.
He further emphasised the strategic importance of Lagos to the APC’s national electoral fortunes, urging party members to strengthen their engagement with voters at the grassroots.
“We must win Lagos. This is a must-do for us. We must deepen our relationship with the grassroots; we must be connected to the people,” he said.
The APC chairman also called for an inclusive approach to party reconciliation, warning that unresolved anger and bitterness should not be allowed to undermine the party’s chances at the polls.
“All hands must be on deck for reconciliation. The anger must not be taken to the polls. I urge the Campaign Director-General to embrace every interest in the party,” he added.
In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu appealed to party members who felt sidelined or disappointed not to lose hope, assuring them that there would be other opportunities to serve and contribute to the party.
The governor also sought forgiveness from anyone he might have offended, pledging to intensify efforts towards strengthening unity within the APC in Lagos State.
“Let us leave this place with a commitment that there is a better tomorrow. Don’t give up. We are people who are blessed, as demonstrated by federal projects in the state,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged party members to mobilise support for Tinubu and other APC candidates, stressing that the campaign must extend beyond party loyalists to reach the wider electorate.
He maintained that effective grassroots engagement and the presentation of the party’s candidates and programmes to voters would be essential to securing victory in 2027.
“Let us use our votes to appreciate Tinubu by voting for him en masse. Voting for Tinubu is not just about party members alone; we must use the strategy to sell our candidates to the people. We need to carry the grassroots along,” the governor said.
Reaffirming his commitment to reconciliation, Sanwo-Olu added: “I stand here committed to double my efforts. If there is anyone I have offended, let’s put that behind us. We must work for our success.”
Earlier, Ojelabi, in his welcome address, urged party members to subordinate personal ambitions and political differences to the collective interest of the APC.
He noted that although members occupied different positions, belonged to different political constituencies and performed different assignments, they remained bound by a common mission: electoral victory for the party.
According to him, internal divisions and competing interests could weaken campaign structures and prevent the party from translating its numerical strength into votes.
“No campaign can succeed sustainably when its component parts operate at cross-purposes. No political organisation can maximise its strength when individual ambitions take precedence over collective interests,” Ojelabi said.
He stressed that the APC’s electoral prospects would depend not merely on the number of its leaders or the positions they occupied, but on their ability to communicate a common message, coordinate their activities and mobilise supporters effectively.
The state chairman urged participants to approach the retreat with open minds, confront outstanding issues honestly and develop practical strategies that could be implemented across the party’s political structures.
“Let us put sentiment aside, confront the issues honestly and leave this gathering with actionable strategies that can be implemented across our political structures,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Obafemi Hamzat Campaign Organisation in Lagos State, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said electoral victories were products of deliberate planning, effective coordination, disciplined execution and sustained engagement with voters.
Obanikoro noted that the journey to the ballot required more than political enthusiasm and organisational strength, stressing the need for a clear vision, shared strategy, defined responsibilities and effective communication among campaign leaders.
He said the theme of the retreat underscored the importance of teamwork, adding that individual positions and contributions would be more valuable when aligned with the overall objectives of the party.
According to him, no individual, subcommittee, directorate or campaign structure could independently guarantee electoral success without the cooperation of other components of the campaign.
He urged party leaders to respect established communication channels, resolve disagreements constructively and place the collective interest of the APC above personal considerations.
“Unity does not mean that we will always agree on every issue. It means that, even when our opinions differ, we remain committed to a common purpose and pursue our agreed objectives with discipline and mutual respect,” Obanikoro said.
The retreat is expected to strengthen coordination among party leaders and campaign officials, improve grassroots mobilisation and establish a common strategic direction for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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