The Nigeria Democratic Congress has expressed confidence that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will defeat President Bola Tinubu in Lagos State in the 2027 presidential election, predicting a wider margin than the one recorded in 2023.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said Obi’s victory over Tinubu in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election was not accidental, describing it as a reflection of the political mood in the state.
Speaking on the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, Director said, “Obi didn’t win Lagos by magic. It was a political reality. The people overwhelmingly rejected APC and their former governor who was the presidential candidate of the party.
“In 2027, if there is a free and fair election without voter intimidation, Peter Obi will win, defeat President Bola Tinubu and the APC again by a wider margin in Lagos. You can take that to the bank.”
On concerns that voter intimidation and violence could affect the election, Director said the NDC was prepared to confront any such challenge.
He said the party would prefer an election conducted without violence, inducement or irregularities, adding that it had learned from the experience of the 2023 election.
“We are going to beat them hands down with a wider margin in 2027 and we are prepared for their violence.
“We are going to counter everything they bring on. We are going to counter them. No two elections are the same. We have learned from the lessons of 2023,” he stated.
The NDC candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, Ladipo Johnson, also expressed confidence in Obi’s chances, attributing the expected victory to what he described as the performance of the Tinubu administration.
“I make bold to say, by God’s grace because I’m not being boastful, that Obi will win Lagos again. This time, it will be with a much wider margin,” Johnson said.
He alleged that Obi would have won by a wider margin in 2023 but for alleged vote manipulation and the limited presence of opposition agents at polling units.
Johnson added that the opposition had become stronger through alliances with political groups, including members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“This time, we’re stronger with the additional strength of others. Of course, I’m part of the others here because I came from the Kwankwasiyya Movement. We’re stronger together and we will ensure that the votes of the people of each state count,” he said.
Johnson identified voter intimidation, harassment and vote buying as challenges the opposition would have to contend with during the 2027 election.
He also alleged that opposition campaign materials had previously been destroyed by suspected thugs, while calling on voters to reject inducements during elections.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi defeated Tinubu in Lagos State after polling 582,454 votes against Tinubu’s 572,606 votes, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Obi won in nine local government areas: Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Ojo and Alimosho.
Tinubu won in Agege, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin and Surulere.
The PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, polled 75,750 votes, while the NNPP candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, secured 8,442 votes in the state.
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