Lawal Daura, vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), says the 2027 elections must not be won through electoral manipulation.
Daura spoke on Tuesday at the launch of the national campaign management committee (NCMC) of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO).
The former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS) said attempts to rig the 2027 elections would be resisted, adding that those behind such plans “have a surprise coming”.
Daura said the number of registered voters in Nigeria has surpassed 100 million, describing the figure as significant for the 2027 elections.
“For us that are in the political arena, it is something very, very important. What matters is that we are struggling to ensure we are courting the majority of these voters. And, of course, without anybody reminding us, we know it’s a herculean task. We are aiming to get nothing less than two-thirds of the 103 million,” he said.
Daura said political parties seeking votes should focus on convincing Nigerians through their programmes and the quality of their candidates rather than looking for shortcuts.
“Well, this time around, the struggle is for real. We are not going to let them escape with it. We must make sure that everything is done in accordance with the law and the Electoral Act. And for those who really want to rig, that they can pull a fast one, well, they have a surprise coming,” he said.
Daura said the party’s objective is to “reset” Nigeria, describing the task as requiring people with “quality, focus, determination” and a strong resolve to succeed.
Also speaking, Felix Hyat, director-general of the campaign council, said the team is made up of people prepared to confront the challenges facing the country.
He urged young Nigerians to reject political choices based solely on religion, ethnicity or regional sentiments.
“You have to think, and think, you have a future. You are the one to protect it. Nobody is going to protect it for you,” Hayat said.
Yusuf Dantalle, national chairman of the APM, advised members of the campaign organisation to work with the party’s structures to achieve victory, noting that the goal is to deliver Makinde and Daura and subsequently form the government in 2027.
He said though disagreements may arise within the campaign, the ability to manage internal differences would determine the organisation’s strength.
Dantalle asked the newly inaugurated members of the campaign committee to see their appointment as the beginning of the work rather than an achievement.
