The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Lagos State, Musiliu Obanikoro, has called on party members to close ranks and work as a united front as campaigns for the 2027 general elections officially begin.
Speaking on Wednesday at an interfaith prayer organised by the party in Lagos to mark the start of electioneering activities, Obanikoro urged faithful to set aside divisions that arose during the party’s primary elections and fully support the APC’s candidates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed September 9, 2026, as the commencement date for campaigns ahead of the 2027 polls.
Obanikoro noted that while members may have backed different aspirants during the primaries, the process has now concluded, making unity essential. “We competed with dignity. Let us campaign with respect. Let us disagree without becoming enemies,” he said.
He stressed that APC members would face political opponents together in the general elections and must therefore approach the campaign with a shared purpose despite personal differences. The former senator also advised supporters to keep campaigns peaceful and prevent political disagreements from escalating into personal conflicts.
Obanikoro explained that the interfaith prayer was held to seek divine guidance before the intense period of campaigns. “We are gathered… for a simple but profound purpose: to place this political journey in the hands of God before the campaigns begin,” he stated.
He called for prayers for wisdom, protection, and guidance for the party’s leaders, candidates, and supporters, adding: “Our prayer today is simple: let God go before us. Let Him go before our party; let Him go before our candidates; let Him guide our leaders and protect our members and supporters.”
The APC chieftain specifically urged supporters to prioritise the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the election of Obafemi Hamzat, while maintaining loyalty and discipline throughout the campaign season. He reminded members that political office is temporary and cautioned against actions that could damage relationships or deepen divisions within the party and society.
Obanikoro called on the party to enter the campaign period with “one purpose, one message and one determination” in pursuit of victory, while also praying for the success of APC candidates and for peace and progress in Lagos State and Nigeria.