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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), against assuming that the political momentum he enjoyed during the 2023 general elections would automatically translate into electoral success in 2027.
The party argued that Obi’s political influence could diminish if he failed to demonstrate ideological consistency, policy clarity and the organisational capacity required to sustain a nationwide political movement.
The Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, made the position known on Monday in a statement titled “2027: Peter Obi and the Expiration Date of Political Momentum.” He acknowledged the significance of Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign but maintained that the circumstances that shaped that election might not be replicated in the next electoral cycle.
Oladejo observed that Obi’s previous campaign benefited from widespread public dissatisfaction, strong youth participation and extensive social media mobilisation. However, he argued that popular enthusiasm alone could not guarantee sustained political relevance without a well-established party structure, consistent policy positions and effective grassroots organisation.
According to the APC spokesman, political momentum must be consolidated through sustained engagement, credible policy proposals and institutional development. He maintained that Obi’s political camp had not sufficiently transformed the enthusiasm generated in 2023 into a durable national political structure.
He further cautioned that the political environment ahead of the 2027 elections would differ significantly from that of 2023, adding that the former Anambra State governor could not rely solely on the novelty and public sentiment that characterised his previous presidential campaign.
The Lagos APC also questioned Obi’s record of movement across political parties, citing his previous affiliations with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), as well as subsequent political realignments ahead of 2027.
Oladejo clarified that changing political parties was not inherently objectionable but argued that repeated movements between platforms could raise questions about ideological commitment when not accompanied by a clear explanation of the principles guiding such decisions.
On policy matters, the party maintained that presidential aspirants must demonstrate more than the ability to criticise government policies or articulate broad promises. It argued that candidates should explain how they intend to address pressing national challenges, including inflation, unemployment, public debt and energy supply, while providing clear details about implementation, costs and expected outcomes.
The APC spokesman also questioned Obi’s frequent use of the expression “go and verify” when presenting figures and making claims about national affairs. He argued that the invitation to verify information should be accompanied by claims that withstand independent scrutiny.
Oladejo further challenged the Obidient movement to evolve beyond protest-driven mobilisation and social media engagement into a structured political coalition capable of sustaining nationwide grassroots participation and translating public support into electoral results.
He maintained that the 2027 presidential election would be determined by candidates’ competence, credibility, organisational strength and policy vision rather than their ability to recreate the emotions and enthusiasm associated with previous campaigns.
While defending the APC’s position, Oladejo acknowledged that electoral victories must be earned through governance performance and public confidence. He nevertheless insisted that no opposition candidate should expect the ruling party to surrender its political advantage simply because of previous electoral popularity.
The party’s position comes as political parties and presidential aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the prospect of a competitive contest expected to test the strength of the ruling party and the capacity of opposition movements to consolidate their support.
Oladejo’s central argument was that Obi’s performance in 2023 should not be treated as a guarantee of future electoral success, stressing that political popularity must be sustained through consistent leadership, credible policies and effective organisation.
