The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced internal reorganisation efforts ahead of future elections, with a strong focus on membership data, cohesion, and mobilisation.
State Chairman of the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, said the APC in Lagos is already preparing for the 2027 general elections, noting that the leadership is “girding its loins” to avoid past mistakes. He disclosed that the party has embarked on an electronic membership registration exercise to obtain accurate statistical data of members, which he described as a critical baseline for effective mobilisation.
“We are looking inward to have the statistical data of our members through e-registration. This is essential for mobilisation with certainty,” Ojelabi said.
The Lagos APC suffered a major setback in the 2023 presidential election when it lost the state to the Labour Party, a development that marked the first time President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lost his home base in an election. Although the party secured victories in other electoral contests, the outcome served as a sobering lesson for the chapter.
Ojelabi said the party has since drawn important lessons from what he described as “inexplicable complacency” and is determined to ensure such a reversal does not recur in the Centre of Excellence.
According to him, the party is now more united and stable, with improved harmony within the State Executive Committee and the State Executive Council led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He added that tensions previously reported between the executive and the legislature, including between the governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have significantly eased.
Ahead of the March party congresses, Ojelabi announced that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) has directed members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He said existing members are required to revalidate their membership, while new members or those yet to be registered should seize the opportunity.
The chairman spoke at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, alongside the Vice Chairman, Moshood Mayegun; Secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba; Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Seye Oladejo; Legal Adviser, Folasade Bakare; Youth Leader, Dr. Muritala Seriki; Organising Secretary, APC South-West, Dr. Lateef Ibirogba; and former council chairman, Abiodun Mafe.
He disclosed that the membership registration exercise, which has commenced across the existing 245 wards in the state, will run until January 31. According to him, registration will be conducted at the ward level, with PVCs required for permanent registration, while those without PVCs will be registered temporarily.
Urging members to participate actively, Ojelabi appealed for continuous prayers for the nation and its leaders, noting that peace is essential for effective governance. He also called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu, particularly in addressing insecurity across the country.
Echoing the chairman’s remarks, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said e-registration has become imperative as the party continues to expand, with increasing numbers of new members joining across the state. He added that incentives have been introduced at ward and local government levels to encourage participation in the exercise.
On internal democracy, Ojelabi dismissed allegations of candidate imposition within the Lagos APC, stressing that loyalty, dedication, and commitment remain the guiding criteria for candidate selection. He revealed that reconciliation committees have been set up to address grievances arising from local government nomination processes ahead of the congresses.
The chairman also acknowledged the anxiety among party members anticipating appointments as council secretaries, supervisors, and aides, assuring that announcements would be made soon across the local governments.
Commending the competitive performance among council chairmen, Ojelabi said many have justified the confidence reposed in them at the grassroots level. He reminded council chairmen that the directive requiring them to reside within their council jurisdictions remains in force and warned that compliance would be closely monitored.
He further disclosed that an Assessment Committee has been established on a senatorial basis to evaluate council chairmen’s performance annually, in addition to oversight by the Lagos State House of Assembly, to ensure the delivery of democratic dividends to Lagos residents.
