The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted strongly to recent remarks by Dino Melaye, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in which he expressed confidence that his party would field a formidable presidential candidate capable of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
In a public statement, Melaye noted that although he has refrained from endorsing any individual for the party’s presidential ticket, the ADC remains committed to producing a candidate who will, by divine grace, unseat the incumbent president.
He stated, “I have made it a point of duty that I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or aspirant or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised and organise a transparent convention that will produce a presidential candidate of the ADC who, by the grace of God, will kick.”
Responding to these claims, the Lagos APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Seye Oladejo, issued a strongly worded statement dismissing Melaye’s comments as baseless and disconnected from the prevailing political realities.
According to Oladejo, the remarks are laughable, coming from a politician whose recent electoral performances have been disastrous and whose frequent defection from one political platform to another undermines his credibility.
“The statement, coming from a politician whose recent electoral record is nothing short of disastrous, only confirms the growing disconnect between the ADC’s ambition and its political reality,” Oladejo said. “Mr. Melaye — having failed woefully in his own state and recently defected from one platform to another — is hardly in a position to make pronouncements on national leadership or electoral victory.”
The APC further argued that the ADC lacks the fundamental capacity to challenge the ruling party on a national scale. “Let it be made abundantly clear: the ADC lacks the structure, national spread, and voter confidence to mount any serious challenge — let alone unseat a performing president,” the statement emphasized.
Highlighting the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, the Lagos APC credited him with laying the foundation for a transformed Nigeria through bold economic reforms, inclusive governance, and extensive infrastructure development. According to the party, these efforts have significantly improved the country’s image on the global stage and renewed hope among Nigerians.
“President Tinubu has, in just over two years, repositioned Nigeria through decisive policies and programs. His leadership has rekindled confidence both at home and internationally, and has set the country on the path of sustainable development — a far cry from the empty rhetoric propagated by the opposition,” the statement noted.
The Lagos APC described itself as a formidable political institution with deep roots across all regions of the country. It stressed that the APC’s wide-reaching grassroots support gives it a legitimate edge over fringe parties like the ADC, which, according to the statement, have no significant political relevance or electoral strength in any part of the country.
“The APC is a tested national movement with roots in every ward, local government, and state. In contrast, the ADC — a party with no visible impact in any geopolitical zone — cannot be taken seriously when it comes to national leadership,” Oladejo added.
Concluding the statement, the Lagos APC urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as Melaye’s desperate political outbursts and to stay focused on the progress being recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It asserted that the 2027 elections would be decided based on verifiable performance, not political theatrics or noise-making.
“2027 will be determined by performance, not noise. President Tinubu is delivering real results, and those results will speak louder than any empty campaign slogan or staged media appearance,” the party said.
The statement reaffirmed the Lagos APC’s unwavering commitment to the President’s administration, pledging continued support to ensure that the mandate given by the Nigerian people is respected and upheld.