No anointed candidates for 2027 — Lagos APC

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, says the party has not endorsed any aspirant for any elective office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ojelabi made this known in a statement on Thursday, following the successful conclusion of the party’s National Convention, which produced new officers across all organs of the APC.

He said with the convention completed, the party’s focus has now shifted to the selection of candidates for the upcoming elections. He stressed that every position remains open and that no aspirant has been handpicked by the party leadership.

“Now that the convention is over, our main focus is the process of electing candidates who will fly our party’s flag in the next election. I wish to state categorically that all positions are open for contest, as the party has no anointed candidate for any seat,” he said.

Ojelabi encouraged interested members to freely contest any position in line with legal and electoral guidelines.

He stated that the exercise would align strictly with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

According to him, the party will adopt direct primaries as the primary method for choosing candidates while allowing consensus arrangements where they are voluntary and widely accepted.

“In line with the Electoral Act, the party will adopt direct primaries as the first option. However, consensus remains an option if agreements are freely reached and acceptable to all,” he added.

The Lagos APC chairman also cautioned aspirants that nomination and administrative fees will not be refunded.

Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to internal democracy, Ojelabi assured members of a level playing field and noted that the party would encourage greater female participation.

“As a progressive party, we will ensure a free, fair and transparent process. We will also give special consideration to popular and influential female aspirants in relevant constituencies,” he said.

He urged members to conduct themselves with discipline and decorum while awaiting official guidelines from the national leadership.

Political consultations and jockeying for party tickets have already intensified in Lagos ahead of the primaries.