An influential member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Honourable Jubreel Abdulkareem, offered some insights into the variables that influenced the outcome of the presidential election that took place in 2023.
According to Abdulkareem, contrary to the widespread assumption, the victory in Lagos was not primarily credited to the Labour Party but rather resulted from internal discord within the APC. He stated that this notion was counter to common belief. He emphasised that the original election outcome was a reflection of popular unhappiness that was fanned by internal disagreements among the ranks of the party.
In an interview that was conducted exclusively for The Sun, Abdulkareem emphasised the crucial role that the leadership of the APC played in recognising the critical need to address concerns and reconcile disagreements within the party.
He made the observation that prompt actions were taken to facilitate the convening of meetings with the purpose of recovering collective focus and strengthening internal cohesion.
The APC chieftain demonstrated the relevance of the party's capacity to settle internal disagreements by claiming that the ensuing election results were a testimonial to their dedication to unity and a successful government. This displayed the value of the party's ability to resolve internal disputes.
He explained how the party's concerted attempts to manage internal tensions finally led to a change in the electoral landscape. He said that this ultimately led to a reversal.
The influence of urban voters and young people who were dissatisfied with traditional Nigerian politics was one of the most important observations that Abdulkareem made.
He acknowledged the appeal of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, who garnered support from these demographics, particularly in the commercial hub of Lagos State.
Abdulkareem elucidated that while the Labour Party made important gains in certain areas, the ultimate shift in the electoral tide was a result of internal realignment within the APC.
He emphasized the importance of party members being aligned on a common agenda and working together towards a shared vision.
"For me, it was not the Labour Party that won the election in Lagos; it was because of wrangling in the APC," Abdulkareem stated. "It was not the opposition; it was with ourselves."
He further illustrated the consequences of internal discord, highlighting how disagreements within the party could lead to a withdrawal of support from constituents.