Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos East Senatorial District have expressed concern over growing internal divisions within the party, cautioning that persistent infighting could undermine its prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was issued during the Lagos East Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Meeting held on Thursday in Lagos, where the senator representing the district, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, both called for renewed unity among party members.
Abiru admitted that factional disagreements persist within the district and appealed to party leaders to commence reconciliation efforts aimed at addressing unresolved grievances among aggrieved members.
He emphasised that party unity was essential as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
According to him, the APC must present a united front to secure a second-term mandate for President Bola Tinubu, noting that the President had taken bold and difficult decisions which, according to him, are beginning to stabilise the economy.
Abiru argued that these efforts make a strong case for continuity.
In his address, Ojelabi described Lagos East as a stronghold of dedicated party members who have consistently contributed to the growth of the APC.
However, he expressed concern over what he said was a decline in discipline among both leaders and members, warning that indiscipline could stall collective achievements.
“Discipline is fundamental to what we are doing; without it, we will achieve nothing,” Ojelabi said.
“The race for 2027 has already begun, and as a party we are determined to make sacrifices and deepen internal democracy. Unity and cohesion are essential, and we must learn to manage our differences.
“Members should settle their disputes.”
He further called on council chairmen and party leaders across the district to encourage residents to participate in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise as a way of strengthening the party’s grassroots structure.
Also speaking at the meeting, former Senator representing Lagos East, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, warned the party against complacency, citing the experience of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which once predicted it would remain in power for 60 years but lost control after 16 years.
“We must avoid complacency and remain vigilant,” Mamora warned.
“Members should support leaders, and leaders must also fulfil their responsibilities to party members,” he said.
Representing the council chairmen in the district, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Chairman of Conference 57, Abdullahi Sesan-Olowa, decried the impact of internal conflicts on political development in Lagos East.
“We are far from where we should be politically in Lagos East. As council chairmen, we need to re-strategise, remain united and foster mutual understanding,” he said.
The meeting drew the attendance of members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, members of the House of Representatives including Wale Raji and Kafilat Ogbara, Lagos State House of Assembly members from Lagos East, council chairmen from the five local governments in the district, and Lagos State Executive Council members from the area.