Defections Strengthen APC, No Threat of Implosion – Lagos APC Chairman Ojelabi Tells Opposition Parties
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims by opposition political parties that the ruling party may implode due to the high rate of defections into its fold, describing such assertions as mere wishful thinking.
The party stated that there is no basis for fears of implosion, noting that the APC has grown from controlling just one state in 2003 to governing 28 states today, a development attributed to its performance and the democratic freedoms within the party.
The State Chairman of the APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, gave this assurance during the end-of-year interactive session with the media held at the party’s secretariat on ACME Road, Ogba.
Ojelabi, who was flanked by members of the party leadership in Lagos and the South West, announced plans to commence an electronic registration of members across the state from January 5 to January 30, 2026, covering all the 245 wards in the metropolis.
He explained that existing members would undergo revalidation, while new entrants would complete full e-registration, stressing that the exercise is aimed at creating a credible and comprehensive membership database ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The chairman also appealed to Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity or party affiliation, to continue to pray for the country’s leadership, particularly as it confronts the challenge of insecurity.
According to him, meaningful development cannot take place without peace, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deserve sustained support from the people.
Responding to questions on the low voter turnout recorded during the 2023 general elections, Ojelabi said the issue was not peculiar to Lagos State but reflected a nationwide trend. He urged the media to play a more active role in educating citizens on the importance of seeing voting as a civic and national duty.
He also commended President Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments, noting that the policy has introduced healthy competition among councils and improved service delivery.
Pastor Ojelabi further disclosed that the party had set up a monitoring committee to assess the performance of its elected officials, adding that some of the projects showcased during their first 100 days in office were only a glimpse of what lies ahead.
He concluded by thanking the media for their consistent support over the years during local government, state, and national elections, including the presidential polls.
In his remarks, the party’s spokesman, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, explained that the e-registration exercise became necessary due to the steady influx of new members, making it imperative to open up the membership drive to accommodate them.
He urged Nigerians to place patriotism above all else, noting that no society anywhere in the world is without its challenges. Oladejo added that President Tinubu met numerous difficulties on assumption of office but is already taking concrete steps to address them.
