Lagos, Sept. 19, 2026, The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a 1,235-member campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council, inaugurated on Friday at the party’s state secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, has former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, as its Director-General.
The inauguration brought together party leaders, former governors and deputy governors, former council chairmen, elected officials, candidates and other stakeholders.
The APC governorship candidate for Lagos State, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, urged members of the council to unite and communicate the achievements of APC-led governments to the electorate.
Hamzat said the party had records to present to voters, particularly in economic reforms, security and infrastructure.
“We should be proud of our candidates because the president has done a lot for the country. We should not be afraid to go out and campaign,” he said.
He urged the council to mobilise at least 3.5 million votes for the party in Lagos, noting that the state had about 7.5 million registered voters.
“We have registered 7.5 million people in Lagos; therefore, we must target at least 3.5 million votes,” Hamzat said.
He called on members to put aside internal disagreements and work together, saying the campaign should focus on the party’s record and programmes.
Hamzat also urged members to support all APC candidates contesting the Senate, House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly elections.
The APC State Chairman, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, said the campaign council comprised 20 directorates covering the senatorial districts and local government areas of the state.
Ojelabi directed all APC candidates contesting the 2027 elections to remain in Nigeria until after the elections and cooperate with the campaign council.
“To our candidates, cooperate with the campaign council and make yourself available. After today’s inauguration, no candidate is allowed to travel outside the country until after the general elections,” he said.
He urged members of the council to respect their responsibilities, the chain of command, the law and the democratic process.
Ojelabi said most campaign activities would be decentralised to the senatorial districts and local government areas to ensure wider grassroots engagement.
He also urged members to conduct peaceful campaigns centred on issues and the party’s programmes, rather than personal attacks, violence or rancour.
Obanikoro described his appointment as a serious responsibility requiring discipline, commitment and collective action.
He urged members to put personal grievances and past disappointments aside and work for the success of the campaign.
“Today we commit our future to our hands. Today marks the beginning of a serious assignment. The 2027 elections demand discipline and absolute commitment from all of us,” he said.
Obanikoro called for sustained engagement with communities across the state and urged members of the various directorates to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
“Every community must be engaged and, above all, unity must be our strength. Let us approach this assignment with discipline and common purpose,” he said.
Representing the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Pa Tajudeen Olusi, former Lagos Deputy Governor and GAC member, Pa Abiodun Ogunleye, expressed confidence in Hamzat’s ability to govern the state.
Ogunleye urged members of the campaign council to work diligently towards the party’s success in the 2027 elections.
The inauguration formally commenced the APC campaign structure in Lagos, with the party leadership urging members and candidates to engage communities and comply with electoral laws.
