Laja Adeoye, Lagos State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 election, has urged Lagos voters to draw lessons from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Osun State and use their votes to end the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) hold on Lagos in the 2027 governorship election.
Adeoye, in a statement on Sunday congratulating Adeleke on his victory in the Osun governorship election, said the result demonstrated that voters could overcome the influence of political parties and state institutions through the ballot box.
He said the Osun election should serve as a signal to Lagosians ahead of the 2027 election, when he intends to challenge the APC for control of the state.
“The determination of the Osun people and the power of their votes have shown us the way. In 2027, Lagosians can and must end APC misrule through the same resolve and the ballot box,” Adeoye said.
He said the APM would present itself as an alternative to the APC, promising what he described as better policies, prudent fiscal management and practical solutions to challenges confronting Lagos residents.
Adeoye listed annual flooding, traffic congestion, youth unemployment and the housing crisis among the issues he said required a change in the state’s governance approach.
His comments followed the declaration of Adeleke of the Accord Party as winner of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
According to figures announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Adeoye described the result as a rejection of what he called attempts to impose a candidate on the electorate.
“The outcome of this election is a powerful reminder to the ruling APC that a determined people cannot be defeated,” he said.
Read also: Osun election shows INEC can deliver credible election – Yiaga Africa
The APM candidate said the Osun result showed that voters could resist political pressure when they were determined to protect their mandate.
He also appealed to Adeleke to remain committed to the people who voted for him, urging the governor not to align with the APC at the presidential level in 2027.
Read also: Adeleke’s victory sends warning signal to Tinubu, APC ahead of 2027
“He must not take this hard-won mandate to the APC at the presidential level in 2027, as that would amount to a betrayal of the trust the people have placed in him,” Adeoye said.
Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.
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