Former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kolawole Taiwo, told Vanguard’s Politics Hub that Peter Obi’s performance as governor of Anambra State should not be measured against the track record of successive administrations in Lagos, and that the opposition cannot lean on Obi’s record to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
**What did Taiwo say about the 2023 election outcome?**
Taiwo reflected on the APC’s experience in the 2023 general elections, noting that the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, faced a strong challenge from Obi, who ran under the Labour Party. He described the loss as a shock that ultimately strengthened party members, saying, “We were shocked four years ago but when you are shocked, that makes you a stronger person.”
He added that the factors which contributed to the 2023 setback have been addressed, stating, “What happened four years ago is not happening now. There were some things that led to it (the loss), those things, we are not seeing it again.”
**Did ethnicity influence the Lagos result?**
Taiwo rejected claims that the Igbo community was responsible for the Lagos outcome, arguing that the vote reflected broader public dissatisfaction, especially among younger voters. “Some people said it was the Igbos but I said no, it was not the Igbos. The worst part of that tsunami, it was the Gen‑Z and everybody that just decided that they think they can just be ruling us anyhow,” he said.
**How is the APC presenting its side of the story?**
He noted that the party has introduced several measures to ensure its perspective reaches the public, citing his appearance on the programme as an example: “We (APC) have also introduced so many things. For instance, people like us coming to talk on this show is because we also want people to hear our own part of the story. The story was one sided.”
**Can Obi’s Anambra record be used against the APC in Lagos?**
Taiwo questioned the relevance of comparing the two states, emphasizing their distinct circumstances. “Obi cannot come here and say, I performed in Anambra. What type of performance is that when you put it beside Lagos? You now say you want to premise your election on your performance in Anambra, then, there is something wrong with us,” he argued.
He concluded that while every governor has achievements to showcase, Obi’s record in Anambra should not serve as the sole yardstick for judging the APC’s performance in Lagos. “You cannot put his performance in Anambra beside Lagos. Even a blind and deaf governor will have something he has done.”