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2027: APC tells Atiku to quit politics says ex-VP has nothing to offer

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate to retire from active politics saying he has nothing new to offer Nigerians.

The ruling party said Atiku failed to address the country’s socio-economic challenges during his eight years as Vice President and should not present himself as the solution to problems his administration helped create.

Addressing newsmen in Kano on Thursday APC Presidential Campaign Spokesperson Mallam Alwan Hassan said Atiku should take responsibility for unresolved national problems rather than seek to govern the country.

‘It is extremely offensive that Atiku who served in an administration and was a member of the party that created and left many of Nigeria’s longstanding problems unresolved now presents himself as the answer to those same problems’ Hassan said.

Hassan said Atiku’s repeated unsuccessful bids for the presidency showed Nigerians were unwilling to entrust the nation’s destiny to him.

He also questioned the source of the former Vice President’s wealth saying his transition from the Customs Service to a billionaire remained insufficiently explained.

He further alleged that Atiku was disposing of some of his assets to finance his political ambition warning that public office should not be used to recoup personal investments.

On the North the APC spokesman dismissed claims that the region would not vote for President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and challenged Atiku to show evidence of his contributions to the region’s development in the last 27 years.

‘And on the North Atiku must account for his record. The people of the North deserve more than declarations of his pretentious concern. What has he done for the North in 27 years? Where are his investments? In Dubai! Yet he wants us to believe he has the North’s interest at heart?’ he queried.

On Peter Obi presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Hassan said the North would not risk its votes on any candidate but Tinubu.

He alleged that the former Anambra State governor failed to demonstrate democratic credentials by not holding local government elections during his eight years in office and accused him of switching parties to avoid competitive primaries.

Speaking on why the North will support Tinubu’s re-election Hassan said the President’s capital investments and socio-economic policies in the region justified his return.

He said Tinubu inherited a fragile economy citing the Federal Government’s State of the Economy presentation to the Federal Executive Council on October 28 2026.

According to him Nigeria’s economy grew by only 2.74 per cent in 2023 with net usable external reserves of about $859 million despite gross reserves of $35 billion a fragmented foreign exchange market with spreads exceeding 60 per cent a tax-to-GDP ratio of about 7 per cent and debt servicing consuming about 97 per cent of government revenue.

‘The administration responded with reforms intended to address structural weaknesses in public finance foreign exchange management and allocation of national resources. The removal of the petrol subsidy and restructuring of the foreign exchange market were among the most consequential decisions. They also imposed significant adjustment costs on Nigerians.

‘However nearly three and a half years into the administration the available indicators provide an opportunity to assess progress. The economy recorded real GDP growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 compared with annual growth of 2.74 per cent in 2023’ Hassan said.

Amihan, sheer line to bring rain to parts of Luzon Thursday

Overcast skies and rain are expected to persist over several parts of Luzon on Thursday due to the effects of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and the shear line, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the shear line will bring cloudy skies and rain over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Aurora, the Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Marinduque and Oriental Mindoro.

‘Samantala itong amihan naman ang magdadala ng mahihinang pagulan partikular na sa malaking bahagi ng Cagayan Valley, Cordillera at lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija,’ said Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina.

(The amihan will bring light rains, particularly over much of the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and the province of Nueva Ecija.)

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will have relatively fairer weather conditions with chances of light rains due to isolated thunderstorms.

Partly cloudy to overcast skies with rain due to localized thunderstorms are then forecast over Visayas, while hot and humid weather conditions are expected in Mindanao.

No tropical storms or low pressure areas, on the other hand, are so far being monitored within and outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

The temperature range in key cities/areas across the country for Thursday are as follows:

Metro Manila: 25 to 33 degrees Celsius

Baguio City: 17 to 26 degrees Celsius

Laoag City: 23 to 34 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao: 23 to 33 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 24 to 33 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay: 22 to 29 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Iloilo City: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 27 to 33 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cagayan De Oro City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 25 to 34 degrees Celsius

Davao City: 24 to 34 degrees Celsius

Fully decked out PROLED XDR MacBook Pro is more than P1M

Apple has recently announced the new MacBook Pro PROLED XDR Display that comes with something many users have been wanting – a touch screen.

Available in 14- and 16-inch models, the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display features up to 2000 nits peak HDR and SDR brightness, 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and a wider color gamut covering both P3 and Adobe RGB.

Touch screen for the first time

The new MacBook Pro features Touch for the first time. Users can scroll through a webpage with a swipe; pinch to zoom in on a photo; drag and drop slides from one presentation to another; and double-tap a window to fill the screen, or flick to tile it into place. The touch sensor is built directly into the display panel – not layered on top of it – reducing latency so users feel like they’re touching the content itself.

Fully decked out

Just for kicks we decked out the new touch screen MacBook Pro with the highest chipset, memory, storage, and apps. The total cost ramped up to more than 1 million pesos. We chose the M5 Max Chip with the 18-core CPU and 40-core GPU, a display with Nano-texture glass that bumps the cost up by almost P10,000, 128GB of unified memory. 16TB of storage, abd copies of both Final Cut Pro (P19,990) and Logic Pro (P12,990) preinstalled. There’s also the option for Apple Care protection plan to insure your P1M device.

Joking aside, the base model of the PROLED XDR Display MacBook Pro is roughly 1/5 of that cost starting at P203,990 with the Education plan.

NNPCL to resume oil exploration in Borno

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has secured a fresh commitment from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to resume oil exploration activities in the state.

Governor Zulum announced the breakthrough on Wednesday after hosting a high-level NNPCL delegation, led by Board Chairman Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The strategic meeting focused on bolstering energy development and jump-starting exploratory drilling within the Borno (Lake Chad) Basin.

Governor Zulum noted that Borno possesses enormous commercial hydrocarbon potential and shares borders with three countries.

He expressed optimism that resuming the exploration drive would fundamentally transform the state’s economy and unlock vast regional wealth.

However, this renewed push for exploration in the Lake Chad Basin came at a time when President Bola Tinubu signed Executive Order 9, which halted the NNPCL from deducting the 30% Frontier Exploration Fund at source and redirected all oil and gas revenues into the Federation Account.

The policy shift stripped the national oil company of its authority to manage or retain the 30% profit oil and gas allocation previously designated for frontier exploration under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Critics warn that altering the funding mechanism could slow down capital-intensive projects in northern inland basins, including Kolmani in the Gongola Basin, the Bida Basin, the Benue Trough, and Lake Chad.

While welcoming the renewed oil exploration commitments, Governor Zulum did not shy away from pressing the NNPCL leadership on critical local infrastructure. He voiced deep concern over the protracted delay in upgrading the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.

The Governor expressed dismay that despite necessary materials having been on-site for approximately two years, the critical project, designed to stabilize and improve electricity supply to Maiduguri and its environs, remains incomplete.

He urged the NNPCL management to intervene decisively to ensure the swift completion of the plant, underscoring its direct impact on the socio-economic well-being of the state’s citizens.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, Engr. Kida assured Governor Zulum of the company’s readiness to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin.

He also promised to address the bottlenecks stalling the emergency power plant project, while commending the Governor for creating a secure and investment-friendly environment in the state.

Makinde pledges fair gaming regulation, warns operators against non-compliance

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged fair and transparent regulation of the gaming industry, urging operators to comply with licensing, tax and other statutory requirements to promote sustainable growth and protect the public.

Makinde said economic expansion in the sector must be matched with responsible business practices, effective oversight and adequate safeguards for players.

The governor stated this on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the seventh Annual Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum organised by the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, Makinde commended the board for providing a platform for government officials, regulators, operators and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry.

He said technological innovations, particularly online gaming platforms and mobile applications, had transformed the sector, creating opportunities for investment and employment while increasing the need for effective regulation and consumer protection.

‘Our position as a government is clear. Economic growth must be encouraged, businesses must be allowed to thrive within the law, and the interests of the public must remain protected. These objectives are essential to building an industry that is productive, responsible, and sustainable,’ the governor said.

Makinde described the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board as a critical institution for maintaining stability in the sector through effective oversight, enforcement of licensing requirements and action against illegal operators.

He, however, stressed that regulation should not become a hindrance to legitimate businesses, insisting that it must be fair, transparent and consistent.

‘The objective of government is not to create obstacles for legitimate businesses but to promote orderly growth and accountability within the industry,’ he said.

The governor urged the board to strengthen its regulatory capacity, improve engagement with operators and deploy modern technology to enhance monitoring and compliance.

He also called on gaming operators to regard compliance as an essential part of responsible business, urging them to maintain valid licences, fulfil their tax and levy obligations, keep accurate records and meet all regulatory requirements.

Makinde warned that illegal operations and non-compliance could undermine confidence in the industry, weaken regulatory oversight, promote unfair competition and deprive the government of revenue.

He further emphasised the need for responsible gaming practices, including measures to protect vulnerable persons and prevent underage participation.

According to him, the growing use of digital platforms must be accompanied by safeguards against cybersecurity threats, consumer exploitation and weaknesses in transaction monitoring.

The governor added that improved compliance and accurate reporting would reduce revenue leakages, promote transparency and strengthen the sector’s contribution to Oyo State’s economic development.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Hon. Olajide Boladuro, said the forum reflected stakeholders’ collective commitment to developing a responsible, transparent and sustainable gaming industry.

Boladuro commended Makinde for supporting good governance, institutional accountability and the responsible development of the gaming and lottery sector.

He noted that, although the industry offered opportunities for investment, job creation and revenue generation, its full potential could only be realised through compliance, public protection and measures that inspire confidence.

The forum featured panel discussions on ‘Over-Regulation or Revenue Trapping: Incentivising Industry Growth,’ ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in the Gaming Industry,’ and ‘The State of iGaming Regulation in Nigeria: Stalemate or Progress.’

Those in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and E-Governance, Mr Bayo Akande; government officials; gaming operators; representatives of gaming regulatory agencies; and other industry stakeholders.

Mindanao on track to build more clean energy sources

Mindanao is on track to achieve a balance between renewable energy (RE) and ‘dirty’ and expensive fossil fuels – mostly coal – by 2030, with the Department of Energy (DOE) announcing the potential delivery of at least 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy within the next three years.

Speaking during the 4th Mindanao Clean Energy Forum here last week, Energy Assistant Secretary Sabine Marie Romero acknowledged Mindanao’s ‘strong renewable energy foundation,’ citing the large combined capacity of state-owned hydroelectric power plants along the Agus and Pulangi rivers, which generate about 1,000 MW.

‘Mindanao is where RE can thrive,’ Romero said, noting that the region can lead the way for a clean energy future for the country.

Under the country’s nationally determined contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, Mindanao had set a target of making RE constitute half of the region’s energy mix by 2030, at par with fossil fuels, mainly coal.

The Mindanao target is more ambitious than the national goal of getting RE at 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

According to a study by the multistakeholder Mindanao Renewable Energy Acceleration and Coordination Hub, the region requires 1,400 MW of additional installed RE capacity to achieve the 50:50 goal by 2030.

Romero noted that as of July this year, the DOE had recorded 25 committed RE projects that have a total potential capacity of 1,026 MW, expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2029. Of these, the bulk-or some 675.96 MW-are solar capacities.

She said the DOE forecast RE to reach 56 percent of Mindanao’s energy mix by 2030 ‘if all committed and green energy auction projects come online as scheduled.’

Attracting investments

Based on DOE data, RE share in Mindanao’s total installed energy capacity is 32.5 percent in 2025, while 35 percent in gross power generation, 20 percent coming from hydro.

According to Romero, the agency had put in place policies and programs to further attract RE investments in the country, such as easing foreign ownership limit, preferential dispatch of all RE resources in the wholesale electricity spot market, and coming up with a framework for the development of offshore wind resources.

Throughout the country, the DOE set a 10-year green energy auction plan that will offer a cumulative total of 25 gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity that will deliver power from 2027 to 2035.

For Mindanao, Romero cited the 20 GW integrated renewable energy and energy storage system, 20 MW roof-mounted solar, and 175 MW run-of-river hydro, which will be offered in upcoming green energy auctions.

She emphasized that there is a need to ensure that the energy is ‘reliable, affordable and sustainable’ so that it can power Mindanao’s industrialization, agribusiness expansion, urbanization and the rise of micro, small and medium enterprises.

‘Every megawatt we build must answer’ the needs of the people, she said, adding the need for transmission and distribution assets in the region to be ready to handle the increased generation capacity.

Cheap option

Ben Cyrus Ellorin, project director of Consumers for Renewable Energy Action in Mindanao, welcomed the ‘DOE buy-in’ of the push to accelerate the building of RE capacities in Mindanao and throughout the country.

Ellorin noted that Mindanao became dependent on coal-fed capacities in 2016, when the aging Agus and Pulangi plants could no longer cater to the region’s expanding needs, prompting distribution utilities to forge long-term supply contracts with coal-fired plants that sidelined RE capacities.

The shift to RE acquired a backdrop of urgency as fossil fuel prices had steadily climbed, especially due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, raising electricity rates in the region, he added.

‘Renewable energy is the cheapest option today,’ said energy planner Alberto Dalusung III, energy transition adviser of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.

Dalusung said that moving forward, energy planning in the region must be sensitive to the needs of industries that support massive job creation, citing, for one, the planned expansion of a steel-making plant in Davao.

Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority deputy executive director, emphasized the need for reliable and affordable energy to further drive Mindanao’s ‘phenomenal growth,’ inviting RE investors to locate on the island to help sustain its development

Dalusung noted that several path-breaking efforts for RE were started in Mindanao, such as the first solar power farm and a hydropower plant designed to run in tandem with a solar capacity, all in Misamis Oriental, and a biomass power facility in Maguindanao del Norte.

Radda urges Katsina residents to renew Tinubu APC mandate in 2027

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has urged residents of Funtua Zone and the state at large to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Radda made the appeal on Thursday during the flag-off of the Tinubu/Dikko 2027 campaign in Funtua Katsina State where a large crowd gathered for the event.

The governor said the campaign flag-off was an opportunity to present his administration’s achievements under the Building Your Future Agenda engage with residents and renew his commitment to building a more secure prosperous and inclusive state.

He said his administration had prioritised security by working with security agencies traditional institutions and the Federal Government to restore peace across the state.

‘Without peace economic activities suffer children cannot go to school and farmers cannot go to farm. We will sustain the momentum until every resident can go about his lawful business without fear’ Radda said.

The governor also highlighted investments in road construction urban renewal and energy describing Funtua as a strategic commercial centre for agricultural trade and job creation.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers micro small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) women and young people through initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship skills acquisition and private-sector growth.

Radda added that his government was working to strengthen schools improve teachers’ welfare enhance primary healthcare and expand health insurance coverage for vulnerable residents.

He commended Tinubu for the reforms introduced under the Renewed Hope Agenda saying Katsina State would continue to align its policies with federal initiatives to improve their impact.

Earlier the Director-General of the Tinubu/Dikko 2027 Campaign Council Ahmed Musa Dangiwa thanked residents of Funtua Zone for their turnout at the event.

Dangiwa said Tinubu was working to reposition the national economy while Radda was delivering results at the grassroots. He urged party members to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also speaking the Katsina State APC Chairman Bishir Gambo Saulawa described the campaign flag-off as an opportunity to consolidate the party’s strength.

He presented party flags and banners to candidates contesting the three senatorial seats 15 House of Representatives seats and 34 State House of Assembly seats urging them to prioritise collective interests and effective representation.

Taraba Killings: Senate demands security crackdown as death toll rises to 80

The Senate has called for an urgent security offensive in border communities across Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states, following the reported killing of about 80 people by armed bandits in Binnari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), lawmakers urged security agencies to establish additional security camps and intensify surveillance in the affected areas to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Isa Shuaibu Lau during plenary on Wednesday.

Lau expressed concern over the killings of innocent and defenceless civilians, warning that the persistent attacks had heightened fear, displaced residents and disrupted peaceful community life.

He noted that the continued activities of bandits in rural communities undermined the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

The Senate warned that failure to address the recurring attacks could lead to further loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and worsening humanitarian challenges.

The lawmakers stressed that no community should be left at the mercy of criminal groups, calling for decisive action to restore security and protect residents.

The Senate also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide relief materials to communities affected by the attacks.

The lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of those killed in the incident.

The death toll from the attack on Binnari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba has risen from the initial figures reported by the police, with community accounts putting the number of fatalities at 50 in subsequent reports.

The Senate has now cited about 80 deaths as it calls for an urgent security offensive in the border communities of Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states.

The attack on Binnari occurred on Friday, October 23, shortly after Jumu’ah prayers, with gunmen reportedly invading the community at about 3 p.m., firing sporadically and looting food items from shops and residential houses.

The attackers also reportedly set shops and motorcycles ablaze, causing panic among residents. They were suspected to have crossed into Taraba from neighbouring Plateau State.

PNP opens hotlines for tips on Dela Rosa’s whereabouts

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday launched round-the-clock hotlines for tips on the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, as the lawmaker’s lawyers renewed their plea for the Supreme Court to block his arrest and possible transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands.

The developments came amid mounting pressure to locate Dela Rosa, who is wanted under an ICC arrest warrant over his alleged role in the deadly war on illegal drugs under former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The PNP announcement followed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s declaration last Friday of a P50-million bounty for information leading to the senator’s capture.

Warning vs prank calls

PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co presented five mobile numbers that the public can call or text with verified information on Dela Rosa’s whereabouts. The hotlines will operate 24/7 starting Wednesday.

The numbers are:

Globe: 0927-307-3501

Globe: 0995-512-2729

Globe: 0945-611-5926

Smart: 0999-361-9878

Smart: 0960-692-3025

The public may also call 911 to report a verified location, Co said.

He warned that prank callers who deliberately provide false information could face criminal charges.

‘This is an official law enforcement resource, these are the numbers and you can be criminally charged if you play with them,’ Co said.

Co said authorities had received no new information regarding Dela Rosa’s possible surrender. Negotiations with a supposed armed group allegedly protecting the senator in Mindanao were still ongoing.

Remulla had earlier made statements about the government’s knowledge of Dela Rosa’s location. On Sept. 8, before the P50-million bounty was announced, he said authorities knew where the senator was.

On Oct. 19, Remulla said Dela Rosa was in Mindanao and being protected by an armed group. He warned that an attempt to arrest the senator could lead to 10,000 deaths.

On Oct. 23, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. gave Dela Rosa one week to surrender, stressing that police operations would proceed regardless of the bounty or ultimatum.

Rights at risk

Dela Rosa’s lawyers asked the Supreme Court to urgently resolve their motion for reconsideration filed in June and issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against any attempt to arrest him for eventual surrender to the ICC.

In a manifestation dated Oct. 27, the law firm of lawyer Israelito Torreon said the P50-million bounty and Remulla’s description of the senator as ‘armed and dangerous’ heightened the threat to his constitutional rights, particularly his right to life.

‘No court has found petitioner Dela Rosa to be armed and dangerous. In law enforcement practice, the designation signals to operating units that armed resistance should be anticipated, which is precisely the setting in which lethal force is most likely to be used,’ the lawyers told the high court.

‘Coupled with a bounty and a declaration abandoning restraint, the designation places petitioner Dela Rosa’s right to life under Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution in present and serious danger,’ they added.

The lawyers argued that the court should intervene urgently, saying that transferring Dela Rosa abroad would remove him from the protection of Philippine courts.

In May, the Supreme Court denied the senator’s request for immediate injunctive relief. It clarified, however, that its ruling covered only the TRO and other provisional remedies sought, not the main issues raised in his petition.

Dela Rosa’s lawyers cited that clarification in renewing their plea for protection.

The senator left the Senate building in the early hours of May 14 after the ICC arrest warrant was unsealed. He is accused of murder in connection with drug-war killings during his tenure as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018.

‘Peaceful resolution’

He is also named as an alleged coperpetrator in the ICC’s separate crimes against humanity case against Duterte, which concerns the former president’s antidrug campaign.

Over the weekend, the Senate minority bloc urged authorities to work with Dela Rosa toward a ‘peaceful resolution’ of efforts to arrest him.

The bloc, led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, includes senators who have expressed support for Duterte and opposition to the ICC investigation. Its members are Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Robin Padilla and Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, who is also named as an alleged coperpetrator in Duterte’s ICC case.

2027: Lagos APC targets stronger comeback after 2023 setback

Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi, has described the outcome of the 2023 general elections in the state as a wake-up call, vowing that the party will stage a stronger comeback in 2027.

Ojelabi expressed confidence that the ruling party would defeat opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, through intensified grassroots mobilisation and sustained engagement with voters.

He spoke at the launch of the Iyaloja General Movement for Renewed Hope, where he said the APC was determined to consolidate its achievements and secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the party is leaving nothing to chance despite being the ruling party, as it continues to mobilise support across states and local government areas.

‘You can see the seriousness the All Progressives Congress attaches to the forthcoming general election. Most of the political activities taking place now are centred on the APC,’ he said.

Ojelabi noted that the emergence of several support groups and their activities across the country reflected the party’s determination to retain power in 2027.

He said the APC was reaching out to voters to explain the achievements of the Tinubu administration and the Lagos State government, expressing confidence that the electorate would reward the party at the polls.

The Lagos APC chairman said the party had learnt important lessons from the 2023 elections, when its dominance in the state faced a significant challenge.

Lagos, traditionally a stronghold of the APC and its predecessors, witnessed a competitive presidential election in 2023, with the Labour Party’s Peter Obi winning the state.

Describing the experience as a wake-up call, Ojelabi said the party was prepared to demonstrate its strength in the forthcoming elections.

‘What happened during the 2023 election, to me, is a wake-up call. And you will see the wonders that we are going to perform come 16th of January and 6th of February, by the grace of God,’ he said.

He urged Lagos residents to assess the performance of the APC-led government and reciprocate its efforts through their votes.

Ojelabi also dismissed concerns about the proposed Rainbow Coalition and whether the APC would require its support to win the 2027 presidential election.

He maintained that the priority of the party and other political actors should be to ensure Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of the coalition arrangements being considered.

‘Whether coalition or no coalition, everybody is speaking one language. The language of making sure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Aso Rock,’ he said.

The APC chairman added that the party would continue to strengthen its support base and mobilise voters ahead of the general elections.