As the 2027 general election draws closer, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has placed a strict travel ban on all of its flagbearers, mandating that every candidate remain within the country until the polls conclude.
The directive was issued by the state party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during the inauguration of the Tinubu-Hamzat Campaign Council held at the party secretariat along Acme Road in Ogba, Ikeja. Ojelabi explained that keeping all candidates grounded is a strategic move to ensure absolute focus on grassroots preparations, mobilization, and campaign activities without external distractions.
Addressing party faithfuls at the event, the chairman cautioned against underrating opposition parties, emphasizing that total commitment and unity are non-negotiable for victory. He explicitly stated that no candidate will be granted permission to travel abroad until the electoral process is wrapped up. He also called for a peaceful and clean campaign, urging members to shun thuggery, violence, and bitterness while letting unity remain their strongest weapon.
Shifting focus to national leadership and governance, Ojelabi criticized the opposition, remarking that the country cannot afford leaders who struggle to grasp basic economic concepts or the geography and dynamics of Lagos. Pointing out that Lagos accounts for 33 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, he argued that the state is far too critical to be left to trial-and-error leadership.
The party boss lauded the current administration for stabilizing the national economy, citing a significant trade surplus with the United States driven by agriculture and urea production, alongside the strategic impact of the Lekki Trade Zone. He further credited the government with recording notable strides in combating terrorism, prosecuting kidnappers, and boosting Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage through fundamental fiscal interventions like sweeping tax reforms that updated antiquated policies dating back decades.
In closing, Ojelabi rallied party members to take ownership of the campaign by reaching out to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to secure a landslide victory. He urged everyone to turn out en masse to vote for the president, senatorial candidates, and all twenty-four House of Representatives hopefuls, while ensuring a clean sweep for the forty Lagos State House of Assembly candidates.
