…Ojelabi launches voter mobilisation challenge ahead of 2027 elections
…Fashola, Basiru, Faleke others rally members to boost turnout, sustain Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a cash reward scheme to boost voter registration and participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Announcing the incentive at the Lagos APC Stakeholders’ Forum held on Tuesday, the State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said the initiative is designed to encourage healthy competition and grassroots mobilisation across the state.
According to Ojelabi, ₦1 million will be awarded to the polling unit with the highest number of new registrants, ₦5 million to the ward with the highest turnout, and ₦20 million to the local government area (LGA) that records the highest overall voter registration.
“The competition has started,” Ojelabi declared. “This meeting gives us the opportunity to reflect on our performance, assess our progress, and push further to achieve our target for 2027.”
He urged party leaders at all levels — from polling units to LGAs — to intensify efforts in mobilising residents to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“No matter your love for the party, without a PVC, you cannot vote,” he said, stressing unity and renewed commitment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party, Ojelabi added, will soon embark on a statewide tour of LGAs to strengthen coordination and ensure alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Representing the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, commended Lagos APC for its proactive drive and called for at least 85% voter turnout in the 2027 elections. He also announced that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) will hold a “Train-the-Trainer” workshop for the South West on November 3 and 4, aimed at sensitising citizens on the party’s achievements and ongoing reforms.
Delivering a keynote on “Voter Apathy and the Sanctity of Elections in Nigeria’s Budding Democracy”, former Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), expressed concern over declining voter turnout despite increasing voter registration figures.
“We used to be the party with the highest total votes. Our party once recorded 1.5 million votes while the opposition scored around 300,000. Where are our traditional voters?” he queried.
“We must turn renewed hope into renewed enthusiasm,” he urged.
Other dignitaries at the event included Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, Rep. Dolapo Badru, Dr Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education), Dr Olajumoke Oduwole (Minister of Trade and Investment), and several members of the National and State Assemblies.
Also in attendance were former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC). Traditional rulers and APC leaders from across the South West states also graced the event.
The forum served as a rallying point for Lagos APC to renew its grassroots mobilisation drive, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to delivering overwhelming voter participation and consolidating the party’s dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.
