The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as wishful thinking the claim by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s campaign organisation that it would defeat President Bola Tinubu in 12 states during the 2027 presidential election.

The party described the declaration as political bravado unsupported by sufficient electoral evidence, arguing that participation in an election did not guarantee victory.

The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, stated this while reacting to the prediction by the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, which expressed confidence that its candidate would defeat Tinubu in 12 states identified as battlegrounds for the forthcoming election.

Oladejo said winning a presidential election required more than public declarations, stressing the importance of a nationwide political structure, organisational capacity, credible alliances and effective voter mobilisation across the federation.

He questioned whether Makinde had established the national network and coalition necessary to support the campaign’s prediction, arguing that the organisation had yet to provide evidence to substantiate its confidence.

The Lagos APC spokesman also urged the governor to address political disagreements within his political circle in Oyo State and his relationships with former allies before making projections about a nationwide electoral victory.

According to him, a candidate seeking the presidency must demonstrate political cohesion and organisational strength beyond his immediate state.

The party further argued that Tinubu’s political experience, national connections and record of coalition-building would remain significant factors in the 2027 contest.

It maintained that voters would assess the competing candidates based on their policies, records and visions for the country, rather than campaign organisations’ declarations about states they expected to win.

Oladejo described Makinde’s prediction as an attempt to generate political momentum through headline-grabbing statements, insisting that such claims required supporting evidence.

He advised the governor’s campaign team to focus on building its political structures and demonstrating its electoral strength instead of announcing anticipated victories.

The comments followed a statement by the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, which said its candidate’s RESET NIGERIA agenda was gaining support and predicted victory in 12 states, including Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano and Adamawa.

The campaign organisation also criticised the Tinubu administration’s policies, arguing that economic hardship and concerns over public infrastructure had increased opposition to the President’s re-election bid.

However, the Lagos APC maintained that the campaign’s prediction did not establish its electoral prospects, adding that the final decision would rest with voters at the polls.

The exchange reflects the intensifying political rhetoric among parties and campaign organisations as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.