Former member of the House of Representatives for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 2, Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, has declared full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.
Johnson, who addressed journalists in Lagos, said the declaration was made on behalf of himself and his supporters across Oshodi/Isolo and Lagos State.
According to him, this is his first major public appearance in Lagos since after the party primaries, noting that he deliberately took time off to allow the political atmosphere to calm.
“I have had one-on-one discussions with my people. The first big thing I want you to hear from me is that since after the primaries, unfortunately, this is my first time of showing face in Lagos, because I decided to cool off, to allow us to breathe some air,” Johnson said.
He stressed that the APC as a party is supreme and its decisions must be respected by all members.
“To start with, the party has taken a decision. Party is supreme in anything we do in our party. Everybody knows that party is supreme. If party is supreme and a candidate has emerged, there is nothing anybody can do than to support the party,” he stated.
Johnson said his political family has unanimously agreed to support the re-election of President Tinubu and the governorship ambition of Deputy Governor Hamzat, alongside all APC candidates at all levels.
“So on that note, I am here to openly declare, not me alone, on behalf of my supporters, we are supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, for re-election and for a second term. And also, we are also declaring support for the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as our candidate of the party for the governorship race. And we are also in support of all the party candidates in the state,” he declared.
He added that the decision reflects loyalty, unity and commitment to the party’s progress.
“We wish them good luck and all the best. That is our position. I am speaking the mind of my people, on behalf of my people. We have taken a decision to toe that line. Our President, we are supporting our President fully, and we are also supporting all the party candidates fully, because party is supreme,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether he is taking a break from politics or returning fully, Johnson clarified that he remains an active party man and leader.
“I am a party man. To start with, I am a party man. And I am also a leader by my own right. So I am fully in support. If I say we are in support, it means we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that our candidates emerge,” he said.
On the cosmopolitan nature of Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency and the need to mobilize non-indigenes including Igbo and Hausa communities for the APC, Johnson admitted that the demography of the constituency requires more work and engagement.
“I recognize the fact that the demography of this constituency is a little bit skewed. It is really not too favorable to the Yorubas. However, it is an ongoing exercise. Our grassroots supporters are talking to them. Our party or any party, the percentage at best is about 15 percent. The remaining 85 percent is the electorate. That is why you have to work very hard to win an election,” he explained.
He noted that winning in such a diverse environment requires a sellable candidate with character and continuous engagement.
“For you to win an election, first you must be sellable. In this type of our environment, you must be sellable and you must have character. It is a work in progress. It is a learning curve for our party. We will continue to partner with them, continue to engage them in discussion,” he said.
On voter apathy and fears of violence, Johnson assured that more people will come out to vote in 2027, adding that INEC has promised free, fair and credible elections.
“INEC has made it clear that it is going to be a free, fair and credible election. The first step is for us to encourage our people to come out and vote. I can assure you that nothing like violence will happen. I am not a violent person and my supporters know me. So I want to encourage everybody to come, vote and carry out your civic responsibility,” he said.
He also commended his supporters for their patience and loyalty since after the primaries and said he will continue to support the party and mobilize voters in his own capacity, even if not formally on the campaign council.