2027: ‘Those planning to rig have a surprise coming’ — Lawal Daura

Vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, Lawal Daura, has warned anyone planning to manipulate the 2027 general elections to abandon the idea, saying such attempts would be resisted.

Daura, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, spoke on Tuesday at the inauguration of the National Campaign Management Committee of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation.

He said political parties should focus on convincing Nigerians through their programmes and candidates rather than seeking shortcuts to victory.

“Well, this time around, the struggle is for real. We are not going to let them escape with it,” Daura said.

“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.”

Daura also highlighted the size of Nigeria’s voting population, saying the number of registered voters had surpassed 100 million.

He said the APM was working to secure the support of a significant proportion of the electorate.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Daura said the party’s objective was to “reset” Nigeria, adding that achieving the goal would require people with quality, focus and determination.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the Campaign Council, Felix Hayat, urged young Nigerians to look beyond religion, ethnicity and regional considerations when making political choices.

“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.

APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, urged members of the campaign organisation to work closely with the party’s structures ahead of the election.

He said the objective was to deliver the Makinde-Daura ticket and form the government in 2027.

Dantalle also warned that disagreements could arise within the campaign organisation, stressing that its ability to manage internal differences would determine its strength.

He told members of the newly inaugurated committee to regard their appointments as the beginning of the assignment rather than an achievement.