Lagos 2027: Still in search of strong, organised opposition

Lagos opposition parties are struggling with internal divisions just weeks before the June 27–July 11 and July 18–August 8, 2026 deadlines for submitting candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has yet to publicly announce its governorship candidate despite claims its nomination process is complete, raising doubts about its ability to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a major crisis after Local Government Area chairmen rejected the party’s governorship primary results, which showed Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour winning with 4,545 votes despite trailing Princess Abiodun Oyefusi (8,489 votes) and Afeez Olasunkanmi Salis (7,594 votes). Chairmen allege irregularities, including aspirants being denied votes after paying nomination fees, and accuse party leadership of failing to address the issue. Supporters of Rhodes-Vivour claim external forces are sabotaging his candidacy, while critics argue the ADC’s divisions undermine its potential as the strongest opposition force against the APC. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), seen as an ADC offshoot, is also divided over its gubernatorial candidate, with Funso Doherty and Naheem Balogun’s supporters making conflicting victory claims despite official results showing Balogun leading (6,150 votes to Doherty’s 5,143). The disputes come as opposition parties prepare to submit their candidates to INEC, with internal conflicts threatening their cohesion and electoral prospects. Analysts warn that the APC’s dominance in Lagos may go unchallenged if opposition parties fail to resolve their disputes before the nomination deadlines.