The vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Lawal Daura, has declared that the 2027 general elections will not be won through electoral manipulation.
Daura spoke on Tuesday during the inauguration of the National Campaign Management Committee (NCMC) of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO).
According to the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), any attempt to rig the 2027 polls will be fiercely resisted.
“Those plotting to rig the election have a surprise coming,” he warned.
Highlighting the importance of voter turnout, Daura noted that the number of registered voters in Nigeria has now surpassed 100 million.
“For those of us in the political arena, this figure is very, very important. What matters now is courting the majority of these voters. Without anyone reminding us, we know it is a herculean task, but we are aiming to secure nothing less than two-thirds of the 103 million registered voters,” he said.
He urged political parties to focus on convincing the electorate through clear policy programmes and credible candidates, rather than seeking illegal shortcuts.
“This time around, the struggle is for real. We are not going to let them get away with it. We must ensure everything is done in strict accordance with the law and the Electoral Act. For those who think they can pull a fast one and rig, well, they have a surprise coming,” Daura added.
He further stated that the APM’s primary goal is to “reset” Nigeria, a task he said requires leaders of high integrity, focus, and determination.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Felix Hayat, said the team was assembled to confront the nation’s pressing challenges. He urged young Nigerians to reject politics driven by religion, ethnicity, or regional sentiments.
“You have to think carefully—you have a future, and you are the ones who must protect it. Nobody is going to protect it for you,” Hayat stated.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, advised campaign committee members to work closely with the party’s grassroots structures to ensure victory for the Makinde-Daura ticket.
Dantalle added that while internal disagreements may arise, the council’s strength would lie in its ability to manage differences and maintain focus, urging newly inaugurated members to view their appointments as the start of hard work rather than a mere title.
