₦airaland Forum

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally declared the 2027 governorship race open to all qualified members, signaling a potentially wide-open contest in the race to get a credible candidate to succeed the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It added that the candidate for the party would emerge through direct primaries, while also allowing for consensus arrangements where broadly accepted.

The Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed this on Thursday through a statement published on his social media handle.

“Our primaries are for all members,” Ojelabi stated, emphasizing that no aspirant has been endorsed for any position.

“All available positions are open for contest as the party has no anointed candidate for any seat.”

The declaration effectively throws the Lagos governorship race wide open ahead of the 2027 general elections, marking a shift from previous cycles often characterized by strong party influence in candidate emergence.

According to the chairman, the party will prioritize direct primaries in line with provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, allowing registered members to participate directly in the selection of candidates.

However, he noted that consensus candidacies would still be considered, provided they emerge through voluntary agreement among stakeholders.

As gathered, this dual approach could intensify internal competition while preserving room for negotiation among influential blocs within the party.

Ojelabi, meanwhile, stressed that aspirants would bear the financial responsibility of their ambition, stressing that nomination and administrative fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Despite this, he assured members of a transparent and fair process, saying we will give all members a level-playing field to contest… in a free, fair and transparent manner.

In a notable move, the party leadership pledged “special consideration” for female aspirants, aligning with broader calls for gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.

Sources said that this could see increased participation of women in both legislative and executive contests across the state.

As the party awaits detailed guidelines from its national leadership, members have been urged to maintain decorum and unity.

“We will not engage in imposition of candidates and neither will we influence the outcome of the primaries,” Ojelabi added, reinforcing the party’s commitment to internal democracy.



https://theguildng.com/just-in-lagos-apc-throws-governorship-seat-open-ahead-2027/

So Obafemi Hazmat is no longer the anointed candidate again? Another Mudashiru Obasa saga unfolding. Fingers crossed!

Lagos - the seat of owomida and chop-make-I-chop politics.

Who remembers the Obasa scandal? That's Tinubu's legacy. Chaos, anarchy, and rebellion. With sprinklings of MC Oluomo and Desmond Eliot.

Seyi might become governor earlier than thought.

Nonsense. So if one Igbo guy in APC wins the primary, will they give it to him?

Tinubu will decide

This is between Seyi tinubu and MC oluomo

Yayi for Lagos state governor.

He's trusted and trusted with so many projects for campaign.

He represented Lagos state for over 2 decades, with his experience and knowledge, he should be the right candidate for the next Lagos state governor

Politicstoday:
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally declared the 2027 governorship race open to all qualified members, signaling a potentially wide-open contest in the race to get a credible candidate to succeed the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It added that the candidate for the party would emerge through direct primaries, while also allowing for consensus arrangements where broadly accepted.

The Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed this on Thursday through a statement published on his social media handle.

“Our primaries are for all members,” Ojelabi stated, emphasizing that no aspirant has been endorsed for any position.

“All available positions are open for contest as the party has no anointed candidate for any seat.”

The declaration effectively throws the Lagos governorship race wide open ahead of the 2027 general elections, marking a shift from previous cycles often characterized by strong party influence in candidate emergence.

According to the chairman, the party will prioritize direct primaries in line with provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, allowing registered members to participate directly in the selection of candidates.

However, he noted that consensus candidacies would still be considered, provided they emerge through voluntary agreement among stakeholders.

As gathered, this dual approach could intensify internal competition while preserving room for negotiation among influential blocs within the party.

Ojelabi, meanwhile, stressed that aspirants would bear the financial responsibility of their ambition, stressing that nomination and administrative fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Despite this, he assured members of a transparent and fair process, saying we will give all members a level-playing field to contest… in a free, fair and transparent manner.

In a notable move, the party leadership pledged “special consideration” for female aspirants, aligning with broader calls for gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.

Sources said that this could see increased participation of women in both legislative and executive contests across the state.

As the party awaits detailed guidelines from its national leadership, members have been urged to maintain decorum and unity.

“We will not engage in imposition of candidates and neither will we influence the outcome of the primaries,” Ojelabi added, reinforcing the party’s commitment to internal democracy.



https://theguildng.com/just-in-lagos-apc-throws-governorship-seat-open-ahead-2027/

Tueh !! The bolded is not true.
The APC and free and fair election are two parallel lines. They can't be put together...

mohbadliveson:
Nonsense. So if one Igbo guy in APC wins the primary, will they give it to him?

So what is he doing in APC? Is he not aware of Pitobi tsunami in ADC?

No be only open. Na closed. Has it ever been open after Bola left office in 2007?

Sheuns:
No be only open. Na closed. Has it ever been open after Bola left office in 2007?

Yes during Ambode second bid. But he lost to Sanwo olu. It was direct primaries.

Omoboricash:
Yes during Ambode second bid. But he lost to Sanwo olu. It was direct primaries.

And you think those delegates were not instructed on who to vote? Weren’t there just 2 contestants?

Dey play.