The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned Peter Obi against relying on the popularity he gained during the 2023 presidential election, saying he needs stronger political structures and consistent policies to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 polls.
The party’s spokesman in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday titled “2027: Peter Obi and the Expiration Date of Political Momentum.”
Oladejo acknowledged that Obi’s 2023 campaign attracted considerable public attention through youth mobilisation, social media engagement and widespread dissatisfaction with the political establishment. However, he argued that such enthusiasm does not automatically translate into lasting electoral support.
“Obi appears to have mistaken a moment of extraordinary political momentum for a permanent entitlement to electoral relevance,” Oladejo said.
He added that political support could diminish without consistent positions, credible policies and sustained organisational development.
According to the APC spokesman, Obi has yet to transform the enthusiasm surrounding his 2023 campaign into a durable political structure capable of sustaining nationwide support.
He noted that the circumstances that shaped the previous election might not be repeated in 2027, warning against assuming that public frustration and the appeal of a relatively new political movement would produce the same results.
Oladejo also questioned Obi’s movement between political parties, citing his past affiliations with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and subsequent political realignments ahead of the next election.
He said changing parties was not necessarily wrong but argued that repeated movement could raise questions about whether political platforms were being treated as vehicles for personal ambition rather than institutions built around enduring principles.
The Lagos APC spokesman further challenged Obi to demonstrate consistency in his policy positions, particularly on inflation, unemployment, public debt and energy. He said presidential candidates needed to explain how they would implement their proposals, including the costs and likely trade-offs.
Oladejo also criticised Obi’s recurring use of the phrase “go and verify”, arguing that some of the claims associated with the expression had faced scrutiny over their accuracy.
He urged the Obidient movement, which mobilised support for Obi in 2023, to focus on developing policy proposals and stronger organisational structures rather than relying mainly on protests, rallies and online visibility.
“The 2027 election will not be decided by who can most successfully recreate emotions of 2023. It will be decided by who can persuade Nigerians that they possess competence, credibility, organisation and vision,” he said.
Oladejo added that electoral success must be earned through performance and public confidence, insisting that no candidate should expect the ruling party to surrender its advantage because of past popularity.
“Momentum is an opportunity, not a permanent political asset,” he said.