A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Fouad Alade Oki, has raised the alarm over what he described as a dangerously low voter turnout during the July 12, 2025, Lagos State Local Government elections—warning that the trend, if ignored, could spell doom for the party’s 2027 electoral prospects.
In a damning preliminary report addressed to the leadership of the Lagos APC, Oki described the turnout as “catastrophic,” revealing that internal party assessments show that less than 6% of the over 6.8 million registered voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) took part in the polls.
This figure, he noted, marks a steep drop from the 11% turnout recorded in 2021.
While the APC emerged victorious—clinching all 20 chairmanship seats and 375 of 376 councillorship positions—Oki said the party’s win was “a hollow victory,” lacking a legitimate democratic mandate.
“The people didn’t vote against us—they simply didn’t vote at all.”
“This is a silent vote of no confidence not just in the APC but in the political establishment as a whole,” he said.
Neglected Demographics and Party Disconnect
Oki pointed to the party’s declining influence among key voter blocs—particularly the Arewa and Igbo communities, as well as disillusioned youths and the urban poor.
He said the APC has failed to build meaningful post-Buhari relationships with the Arewa community, which has historically shown strong loyalty.
Meanwhile, the Igbo community remains wary of the APC, citing a legacy of mistrust and exclusion.
“The APC in Lagos has become disconnected from its support base. Ward and LGA structures are broken, youths are shut out, and loyal grassroots members feel abandoned,” Oki stated.
A Crisis Brewing for 2027
Oki warned that unless urgent reforms are made, the APC risks facing major losses in the 2027 general elections—including the possible collapse of its longstanding dominance in Lagos State.
He outlined several looming threats, including a weakened voter base, loss of moral legitimacy, increased factionalism, and vulnerability to opposition forces.
“The July 12 elections are a red flag. If we ignore it, we do so at our peril,” Oki warned.
Rejects Voter Registration Drive, Demands Party Audit
Oki criticized the APC’s planned voter registration campaign in August, describing it as ill-timed and out of touch. “You don’t pour water into a leaking bucket,” he said, urging the party to first understand why millions of registered voters failed to show up at the polls.
He recommended that the APC convene an urgent internal election review conference—made up of party insiders with electoral experience—to conduct a no-holds-barred audit of the 2025 LG polls.
He said only after rebuilding trust, restoring internal democracy, and repairing its grassroots network should the party begin any fresh registration push.
Roadmap for Recovery
Oki’s report called for:
• Empowering youth with real leadership roles
• Inclusion of the Arewa and Igbo communities in decision-making
• Transparent internal party primaries and credible internal democracy
• Training and performance-based accountability for grassroots party executives
“The time for self-congratulations is over,” he warned. “The APC must act now with courage and honesty if it hopes to survive the political reckoning ahead.”
The report has stirred serious debate within the party’s ranks, with growing support among grassroots members calling for introspection and immediate restructuring before the 2027 elections.
