On Saturday, leaders and officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from across Nigeria’s Southwest gathered in Lagos to address pressing party issues and plan for the future. Hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also serves as Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, the forum brought together governors, lawmakers, former governors, state chairmen, and party elders for an intensive dialogue aimed at fostering party unity.
Key topics of discussion included regional security, youth inclusion, economic recovery, and education. The meeting took place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, reflecting the significance of the region to the APC’s political dominance. The Southwest, the political heartland of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, contributed around 2.8 million votes to the party in the last general elections, cementing its central position in national politics.
Despite the APC’s strong presence in the region, concerns have been growing about the party’s prospects and internal cohesion. In response, the forum sought to realign its objectives and assess the challenges ahead.
President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, praised the leadership of the Southwest for their loyalty and commitment to the party’s ideals. He acknowledged that the administration’s recent reforms, though tough, were necessary to set Nigeria on the path to long-term prosperity. “We acknowledge that our decisions have been tough, but they needed to be taken. The gains are at the end of the tunnel. Right now, I am not thinking of the next election but about the next generation,” Tinubu stated, reaffirming his focus on sustainable governance.
Governor Sanwo-Olu echoed this sentiment, describing the meeting as a chance for the party to reflect on its accomplishments and reignite hope. He called for a united front in addressing key societal challenges, particularly youth restlessness and the “get rich quick” mentality that has taken root in parts of the region. “Southwest is blessed with immense potential. Now is the time for us to live in unity and work together in pursuit of goals that will uplift our people,” he said.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in his keynote address, highlighted the APC’s history as the first successful party coalition since Nigeria’s First Republic. While praising the party’s past achievements, Fayemi warned against complacency. He called on the APC to focus on wealth creation, education reform, and inclusivity, particularly for marginalised groups. “We must openly acknowledge our current challenges and develop a coherent plan to confront them,” Fayemi stated, urging the party to improve its internal reward systems and not take citizens’ support for granted.
The forum also saw remarks from the Zonal Chairman of the APC in the Southwest, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, who praised President Tinubu’s leadership and the difficult but necessary decisions his government has made. APC National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, added that similar caucus meetings would be held in other regions to galvanise support for the party’s national agenda.
The gathering underscored the APC’s efforts to strengthen its base in the Southwest while confronting the internal and external challenges that lie ahead. With unity and reform at the heart of discussions, party leaders aim to chart a course that will secure the future of both the party and the region.
