Lagos APC Restricts Candidate Travel Until 2027 Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has instructed its candidates to stay within Nigeria until the general elections are finalized in 2027. Chapter chairman Cornelius Ojelabi announced the directive during the inauguration of the Tinubu-Hamzat Campaign Council election committee at the party headquarters in Ikeja. According to Ojelabi, the restriction takes effect immediately upon the committee's formation, ensuring that candidates remain accessible for coordinated party activities.

This measure is part of a broader strategy to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State gubernatorial candidate Femi Hamzat. The party aims to secure a significant portion of the vote through structured grassroots engagement across senatorial districts, local government areas, and polling units. Ojelabi emphasized that the party expects to achieve a five-million-vote target in the state by maintaining strict organizational discipline and avoiding underestimation of political opponents.

Strategic Focus On Grassroots Mobilization

The campaign council was established specifically to orchestrate a statewide effort for the 2027 polls. Ojelabi stated that the party will deploy its structural resources at every level of the administrative hierarchy to ensure maximum voter turnout. He urged party members to conduct the campaign with civility, explicitly calling for a process free from hatred, thuggery, or violence. The focus is on disciplined mobilization rather than chaotic campaigning, aiming to convert registered voters into supporters through consistent engagement.

Defending Governance And Economic Policies

Femi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State, has framed the campaign around the tangible results of the current administration. He identified tax reforms, infrastructure development, agriculture, and security as key areas where the party can present its achievements to voters. Hamzat defended the measures taken by the Tinubu administration, asserting that these policies have positively altered the economic landscape. He suggested a realistic target of three to four million votes, citing the number of registered voters in the state as the basis for this projection.

Timeline For Upcoming National Votes

The general elections in Nigeria are scheduled to take place in early 2027, with presidential and parliamentary voting set for January 16. The elections for governors and state legislative assembly members are planned for February 6. The travel restriction imposed by the Lagos APC aligns with this timeline, ensuring that candidates are present and active during the critical period leading up to these dates. According to reports from GN auto geopolitics/africa: Nigeria elections, this directive reflects a precautionary approach to maintaining campaign momentum and organizational cohesion in the run-up to the polls.