The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned that if the APC disregards the opinions of grassroots people, it could lose the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial race.
Primate Ayodele claimed that forcing a candidate on the party from the top might result in protests, voter indifference, and the APC’s eventual defeat in a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.
He pointed out that when political parties ignore the concerns and viewpoints of common people, it can lead to voter annoyance and disengagement, which makes it harder for the party to win. “If the wrong candidate is elected, Lagos will be on fire in 2027 because there won’t be any election-rigging to help the candidate win,” he stated.
Primate Ayodele asked the APC leadership to let all interested members participate in the candidate selection process and let the best candidate choose themselves. Instead of a technocrat imposed by party officials, he underlined the necessity for a grassroots candidate who is well-liked and well-known by the populace.
“The party will lose the state if they permit the imposition of a candidate,” he said. “To win Lagos state in the APC, they need a grassroots candidate with capacity and experience who is admired by all.”
With many stakeholders closely observing how parties manage candidate selection, the warning comes as political tensions increase in the run-up to the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial election.
In order to prevent demonstrations, voter apathy, and electoral defeat, Primate Ayodele’s message emphasizes the significance of honoring voter opinions and advancing democratic procedures inside parties.