The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that his popularity during the 2023 general election may not guarantee electoral success in 2027.
The party said Obi could lose his political influence if he fails to demonstrate ideological consistency, develop a strong political structure and present clear policies capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, made the position known on Monday in a statement titled “2027: Peter Obi and the Expiration Date of Political Momentum.”
Oladejo acknowledged that Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign attracted considerable public attention, particularly among young Nigerians, through social media mobilisation and widespread dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
However, he argued that the popularity Obi enjoyed during the election did not automatically translate into a sustainable political advantage ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, public enthusiasm and political momentum can fade if they are not supported by consistent policies, credible leadership and a strong organisational structure across the country.
Oladejo said Obi appeared to have mistaken the political support he received in 2023 for a permanent guarantee of electoral relevance.
He maintained that the circumstances that helped Obi gain support in the previous election might not necessarily be repeated in 2027, adding that every election presents different challenges and opportunities.
The APC spokesman also questioned Obi’s frequent movement between political parties, recalling his association with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and his subsequent political realignments ahead of the 2027 election.
Although he acknowledged that politicians have the right to change political parties, Oladejo argued that repeated movements could raise questions about their ideological convictions.
He said political platforms should be built around enduring principles and policies rather than being treated as temporary vehicles for individual ambitions.
Oladejo also challenged Obi to demonstrate greater consistency in his policy positions, particularly on issues such as inflation, unemployment, public debt and the energy sector.
He argued that aspiring presidents must go beyond identifying the country’s problems and explain how their proposed solutions would work, including the costs involved, possible trade-offs and the practical steps required to achieve results.
The Lagos APC spokesman further criticised Obi’s frequent use of the expression “go and verify” when defending his claims and public statements.
According to him, although verification is an important part of public accountability, some of Obi’s assertions have attracted scrutiny that, he claimed, raised questions about their accuracy.
Oladejo also called on the Obidient movement, which played a significant role in mobilising support for Obi during the 2023 election, to move beyond protest and online activism towards building a more organised political movement with clear policies and grassroots structures.
He argued that sustained political organisation would be necessary for the movement to become a durable national coalition capable of competing effectively in future elections.
Oladejo said the 2027 presidential election would not be determined simply by a candidate’s ability to recreate the emotions and enthusiasm witnessed during the 2023 campaign.
Instead, he maintained that Nigerians would assess candidates based on their competence, credibility, organisational strength and ability to present a convincing vision for the country.
The APC spokesman also acknowledged that electoral victories must be earned through performance and public confidence.
However, he insisted that the ruling party should not be expected to surrender its political advantage simply because an opposition candidate enjoyed considerable popularity in the previous election.
“Momentum is an opportunity, not a permanent political asset,” Oladejo said, stressing that past popularity alone would not be enough to secure victory in 2027.
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