The national chairman of the [All Progressives Congress](https://www.apc.org.ng), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, together with Lagos State Governor [Babajide Sanwo‑Olu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babajide_Sanwo-Olu) and state party chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, addressed senior party officials on Thursday at a retreat in Lagos, urging them to secure the state for President [Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu), Governor Obafemi Hamzat and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
**Key facts**
- Lagos houses over 7 million registered voters, making it the most populous voting bloc in the country.
- The party set a target of five million votes out of the seven million registered voters.
- Yilwatda highlighted that losing Lagos in the last presidential poll was a strategic setback.
- Ojelabi emphasized that preparation must translate into measurable action and eventual victory.
- A quoted statement from Yilwatda: “If you win Lagos, you almost won Nigeria.”
What is the party’s vote target?
The APC leadership announced a concrete goal of delivering five million votes for its presidential, gubernatorial and legislative candidates in Lagos. This figure represents roughly 71 % of the state’s registered electorate and is intended to overturn the loss suffered in the previous presidential election.
Why is Lagos pivotal for the party?
Yilwatda explained that Lagos is both the commercial hub and the political nerve centre of Nigeria. He argued that dominance in Lagos translates into national influence, stating, “If Lagos speaks, Nigeria speaks.” The emphasis on the state stems from its size, economic weight and symbolic importance in national politics.
How did leaders address internal party dynamics?
Yilwatda acknowledged that ambition and disagreements are natural in a large organisation but warned against letting personal interests undermine collective goals. He called for “honest communication, patience and a willingness to place the party’s success above individual differences.”
What message did Governor Sanwo‑Olu convey?
Sanwo‑Olu used the analogy of a 1,000‑naira note to illustrate that a party’s intrinsic value remains intact despite temporary political pressures. He praised party members who remained loyal through challenging elections, noting that such perseverance eventually leads to senior positions, including Yilwatda’s own rise.
How is the campaign structure organised?
The retreat, hosted by the PBAT‑KOH Campaign Council at Eko Hotel and Suites, adopted the theme “One Roof, One Tent, One Friend, One Shared Responsibility.” The council’s director‑general, Senator Musilu Obanikoro, stressed that success requires a clear vision, shared strategy, defined responsibilities and unified leadership capable of mobilising structures and supporters.
In summary, the APC’s Lagos leadership has launched an intensive, coordinated effort—dubbed “Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit”—to galvanise grassroots support, protect organisational strength and achieve a decisive victory in the state for the 2027 electoral cycle.