The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to have a rethink about his 2027 presidential ambition.

The party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, gave the advice in a statement on Sunday in reaction to the LP’s performance in Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra.

Mr Oladejo said the outcome of the election reflected a decline in the Labour Party’s grassroots support and his “Obedient Movement.”

“A man who cannot win his polling unit has no business dreaming of winning a country. A man who is rejected on his street cannot claim nationwide acceptance. A man whose strongest base has crumbled cannot sell the lie of a national movement,” Mr Oladejo stated.

According to him, social media popularity cannot replace consistent political organisation and voter engagement. He said the result, especially in Mr Obi’s polling unit, showed that LP’s structure in his base was crumbling.

“This defeat marks the complete disintegration of the myth around Peter Obi. And to compound the embarrassment, we sincerely hope Mr Obi will not run to beg for foreign intervention to rescue him from this political free fall, as he has unashamedly attempted in recent times.

Nigeria’s democracy is not a toy for desperate politicians seeking sympathy abroad after being rejected at home,” Mr Oladejo said.

Mr Oladejo said APC’s showing in Anambra demonstrated increasing public confidence in the party’s leadership, noting that good governance and delivery remained the strongest tools for political success.

He said that while President Bola Tinubu was focused on governance and reforms, Mr Obi “is busy granting contradictory interviews, seeking international validation, and hiding behind hashtags that collapse at the ballot box.”

“If Peter Obi cannot command trust in his polling unit, he should forget 2027. Nigerians will not hand over their destiny to a man whose own people have loudly withdrawn their confidence.

“The APC’s victory in his unit is symbolic, conclusive, and prophetic. It reflects the national mood: performance is triumphing over propaganda; structure is defeating chaos; delivery is destroying deception.

“Peter Obi should spare the nation further melodrama. Let him first repair the political damage at his doorstep before pretending he can repair Nigeria,” Mr Oladejo said.

Mr Oladejo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a peaceful and transparent election.

He also praised security agencies for maintaining order throughout the voting process.

Mr Oladejo said the result reaffirmed that electoral victories are earned through planning and performance.

He advised political actors to engage citizens constructively and strengthen their grassroots connections.

Mr Oladejo said the Lagos APC would continue to support policies that promote development and inclusion.

The APC spokesman expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its reach nationwide.

(NAN)