We’ll Not Allow Opposition Rig 2027 Polls, Warns APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned that it will resist any attempt by opposition parties to rig the 2027 general elections, insisting that electoral malpractice is not exclusive to the ruling party.

The party asserted this while reacting to an independent statistical analysis of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which it said challenges the narrative that irregularities were orchestrated solely by the APC-led federal government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said the study—conducted as part of a Data Science master’s thesis at Pan-Atlantic University—analysed results from more than 123,000 polling units nationwide.

According to the party, the analysis revealed that the highest concentration of statistically significant electoral anomalies occurred in Labour Party (LP) strongholds, particularly in parts of the South-East.

The APC noted that Lagos State recorded an anomaly rate of 2.3 per cent, while Anambra posted 24.9 per cent, Enugu 16.7 per cent, and Imo 10.9 per cent.

The party argued that these figures indicate that electoral malpractice during the 2023 polls cut across party lines and was not limited to the ruling party. It also cited the report’s finding of a disproportionate number of “perfect scores” — voting patterns considered statistically suspicious — in some opposition-controlled areas.

The Lagos APC said the findings undermine claims that the 2023 election was “rigged from Aso Rock,” adding that manipulation often follows opportunity rather than political ideology.

While acknowledging that the 2023 election was neither completely fraudulent nor entirely transparent, the party said the report highlights how electoral malpractice has become more subtle and sophisticated, underscoring the need for vigilance ahead of future polls.

“Let it be stated without ambiguity: the APC will not allow the opposition rig the forthcoming elections under any guise, emotional blackmail, or revisionist storytelling. Having failed to overturn the will of Nigerians through the ballot, the opposition must not be permitted to rehearse the same script of manipulation, denial, and post-election hysteria,” the statement said.

The party also expressed support for electoral reforms, including independent audits of election data, real-time transmission of results, improved technical capacity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the prosecution of electoral offenders regardless of party affiliation.

According to the APC, safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy requires adherence to facts, fairness, and strict enforcement of electoral laws, rather than post-election disputes and allegations.

“We strongly support credible reforms, including independent audits of election data, real-time result transmission, improved technical capacity for the electoral umpire, and the visible prosecution of electoral offenders – regardless of party affiliation. Democracy is not preserved by noise, street sermons, or manufactured victimhood; it is protected by facts, fairness, and firm enforcement of the rules.

“The era of weaponising false narratives to pre-empt defeat is over. Nigerians are wiser, the data is clearer, and the APC remains fully committed to defending the integrity of the ballot before, during, and after every election,” it added.