The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its resolve to prevent any attempt by opposition parties to manipulate forthcoming elections, citing fresh empirical evidence that challenges prevailing narratives about the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Lagos APC Spokesman, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, the party said it was compelled to re-examine an independent statistical analysis of the 2023 polls, which debunks the long-held claim that electoral irregularities were solely orchestrated by the ruling party.
The study, produced as part of a Data Science master’s thesis at Pan-Atlantic University, analysed results from more than 123,000 polling units nationwide. Its findings indicate that electoral malpractice during the 2023 elections was not confined to one political party, contrary to repeated opposition allegations.
According to the analysis, the highest concentration of statistically significant irregularities was recorded in areas considered strongholds of the Labour Party, particularly in parts of the South-East. While Lagos State, the political base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recorded an anomaly rate of just 2.3 per cent, figures from other states were considerably higher, with Anambra at 24.9 per cent, Enugu at 16.7 per cent, and Imo at 10.9 per cent.
The report further highlighted the prevalence of so-called “perfect scores” in Labour Party-dominated areas — voting patterns described as unusually uniform and indicative of deliberate manipulation rather than natural voter behaviour. Despite polling less than one-third of the total national votes, Labour Party strongholds reportedly generated more statistical red flags than those of any other political party.
he Lagos APC said these findings effectively dismantle claims that the 2023 elections were “rigged from Aso Rock,” arguing instead that the data shows electoral manipulation occurred wherever opportunity existed, irrespective of party ideology.
The party welcomed the study’s conclusion that while the 2023 elections were neither entirely fraudulent nor flawlessly conducted, electoral malpractice has become more sophisticated and subtle. It stressed that this development demands vigilance and objective scrutiny, rather than selective outrage, ahead of future elections.
“The APC will not allow the opposition to rig forthcoming elections under any guise, whether through emotional blackmail, misinformation, or revisionist narratives,” the party stated. It added that having failed to overturn the will of Nigerians at the polls, opposition elements must not be allowed to recycle tactics of manipulation, denial, and post-election unrest.
The Lagos APC reaffirmed its support for credible electoral reforms, including independent audits of election data, real-time transmission of results, enhanced technical capacity for the electoral umpire, and the prosecution of electoral offenders, regardless of party affiliation.
It emphasised that democracy is safeguarded not by propaganda or manufactured victimhood, but by facts, fairness, and strict enforcement of electoral laws.
The party concluded by stating that the era of weaponising false narratives to pre-empt electoral defeat is over, assuring Nigerians of the APC’s continued commitment to defending the integrity of the ballot before, during, and after every election.
