Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has matured to the point where it can lose a South-West state in an election without the country descending into chaos, contrasting his party's democratic culture with what he described as the opposition's tendency to incite violence when they lose. The governor made the remarks on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during a media chat in Lagos, where he addressed a range of political issues, including the 2027 elections and the growing political realignments in the South-West geopolitical zone.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum and a key figure in the APC's South-West political machinery, argued that the party has evolved significantly since its formation in 2013 and now possesses the institutional maturity to accept electoral outcomes, even when they are unfavourable. "In the APC, we have built a culture where we can lose a state in the South-West and the country will not be on fire," Sanwo-Olu said. "We are not like the opposition. When they lose, they burn down the country".
The governor's comments come amid growing political tensions in the South-West, a region that has historically been a stronghold of the APC but has also witnessed increasing opposition activity ahead of the 2027 elections. The region, which includes Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states, is considered a critical battleground for the 2027 presidential election, with both the APC and opposition parties seeking to consolidate their influence.
Sanwo-Olu's statement is also notable given the context of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, which was marred by violence and allegations of electoral malpractice. The governor's remarks appeared to be a reference to the opposition's conduct in that election, where the Accord Party, which fielded the candidate of the ruling coalition, had alleged coordinated attacks on its members and claimed 15 of its supporters were killed. An observer group, the Kimpact Development Initiative, documented 17 election-related violence incidents across 10 local government areas, with more than 44 victims affected. In the wake of the violence, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry on election violence.
Sanwo-Olu's comments also reflect a broader narrative within the APC that the party has embraced democratic norms and is committed to peaceful transitions of power, even when the outcome is not in its favour. This narrative is part of the party's effort to project itself as a responsible political organisation capable of leading Nigeria through its democratic journey, in contrast to the opposition, which the APC has accused of inciting violence and undermining the electoral process.
However, the governor's remarks have also drawn criticism from opposition figures, who have accused the APC of hypocrisy and selective amnesia. They point to the 2023 general elections, which were marred by widespread violence, allegations of voter suppression, and the destruction of electoral materials, including the arson attack on the INEC headquarters in Abeokuta. The opposition has also argued that the APC's record on electoral integrity is far from exemplary, citing the 2023 elections as evidence of the party's willingness to use violence and intimidation to secure victory.
Sanwo-Olu's declaration that the APC can lose a South-West state without chaos is a bold assertion that seeks to position the party as a mature and responsible political organisation. The governor's remarks suggest that the APC is preparing for the possibility of electoral losses in the region, where opposition parties have been gaining ground in recent years. The 2027 elections are expected to be fiercely contested, and the APC's ability to accept defeat gracefully could determine whether the country remains stable after the elections.
For now, Sanwo-Olu's comments have added a new dimension to the political discourse in the South-West, highlighting the contrasting narratives of the APC and the opposition. As the 2027 elections approach, the governor's words will serve as a reminder that the conduct of political parties and their leaders in accepting electoral outcomes is critical to Nigeria's democratic consolidation. Whether the APC can live up to its governor's declaration remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the party is prepared to face the electorate with confidence and, if necessary, to accept defeat with grace.
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