Lagos East Senatorial District leaders of the All Progressives Congress, or APC, have voiced alarm about widening internal rifts inside the party, warning that ongoing infighting may harm the party’s chances in the run-up to the general elections in 2027.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the chairman of the Lagos State APC, and Senator Tokunbo Abiru, the senator representing the district, both called for renewed unity among party members during the Lagos East Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Meeting on Thursday in Lagos, when the warning was given.
Abiru acknowledged that there are still factional disputes in the district and urged party officials to start working towards reconciliation in order to overcome outstanding issues among resentful members.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining party unity as the 2027 election preparations get up steam.
He asserted that the APC must unite in order to win President Bola Tinubu a second term, pointing out that the President has made audacious and challenging choices that, in his opinion, are starting to stabilise the economy.
These initiatives, according to Abiru, present a compelling argument for continuance.
Lagos East is a stronghold of devoted party members who have continuously helped the APC expand, according to Ojelabi’s speech.
He did, however, voice concern about what he claimed to be a deterioration in discipline among leaders and members, cautioning that a lack of discipline could impede group accomplishments.
“We will accomplish nothing without discipline, which is essential to what we are doing,” Ojelabi stated.
“As a party, we are committed to making sacrifices and strengthening internal democracy, and the 2027 election has already begun.
We must learn to handle our differences and maintain unity and coherence.
“Disputes among members should be resolved.”
In order to enhance the party’s grassroots structure, he also urged party leaders and council chairmen around the area to urge citizens to take part in the ongoing APC e-registration drive.
Speaking at the meeting as well, former Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, who represented Lagos East, cautioned the party against complacency by pointing to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year loss of power after predicting it would hold power for 60 years.
Mamora said, “We must avoid complacency and remain vigilant.”
“Leaders must fulfil their obligations to party members, and members should support leaders,” he stated.
Abdullahi Sesan-Olowa, the chairman of Conference 57 and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, spoke on behalf of the district’s council chairmen and bemoaned the effects of internal strife on Lagos East’s political advancement.
“In terms of politics, Lagos East is far from where it should be. He stated, “As council chairmen, we must re-strategize, stay united, and promote mutual understanding.”
Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji, members of the House of Representatives Wale Raji and Kafilat Ogbara, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly from Lagos East, council chairmen from the district’s five local governments, and members of the Lagos State Executive Council from the region were among those who attended the meeting.