The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has confirmed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will capture the Southwest geopolitical zone in the next round of elections.
Ganduje also urged all aggrieved governorship aspirants in the Ondo State governorship primary to close rank ahead of the forthcoming governorship election and noted that the state must be at the forefront of winning the zone.
Addressing a stakeholders meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday, the APC national chairman said,” In this geopolitical zone, we must deliver 100 per cent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo State, you must be at the forefront.”
Ganduje, who led other party National Working Committee members to the critical meeting, disclosed that the party will not reveal its secret to winning the remaining two states in the next off-cycle governorship elections.
He said, “The two other states, I will not reveal our secret, but we assure you, we are strategising. Everything must be 100 per cent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
While calling on the party leaders in the state to unite behind the incumbent governor and the party’s candidate in the November 16th governorship election, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ganduje announced the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwolu, as the party’s Chairman of the national campaign council for the election.
“We have made every arrangement at the national level to have a successful election. We are here to give you hope and encourage you, and we believe that this election is a task that must be done. We are encouraged by this large crowd of stakeholders.
“This shows unity, solidarity, and vigour in the party. Those who contested the primary are not losers because the exercise has no victor and conquer,” he said.
“We expect 90 per cent of total votes in the forthcoming governorship election. Visit house to house, neighbour to neighbour, and ensure you mobilise people to come out to vote.”
Earlier, Governor Sanwolu, who led other governors and party leaders in the zone to the meeting, appealed to aggrieved party leaders and aspirants to forget the past and work for the party’s success in the forthcoming poll.
Sanwolu said, “Regardless of our differences, everybody must come together. We need everybody to get on the bus. The entire party formation has come to unite this family. We are here to tell you that none of you will be left behind.
“Nobody will be taken for granted. You are critical to the delivery of the forthcoming governorship election. The gathering is to embrace all of us. It is for all of us to agree. We are here to support, encourage, and appease you. I am happy with the turnout. Let me thank Chief Oke, Isaac Kekemeke, Wale Akinterinwa, and others.”
Also, the Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, reminded the stakeholders that the forthcoming governorship election will be the first to be conducted under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in the zone.
He said, “November 16th is a defining moment for us as a zone. This election would be the first to be conducted under the leadership of President Tinubu, the first election after the demise of Arakunrin Akeredolu. So, we must preserve what he had worked and laboured for. Do this for the President, do this for history, and do this for prosperity.”
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who also charged the leaders to forget the past, warned, “There is nothing to share in zero.”
He says, “The true heroes of today are Wale Akinterinwa, Oke, Kekemeke, and Jimoh Ibrahim. We cannot afford to win this election. ”
While noting that the Southwest is the only zone with three state off-season elections, Bamidele informed us that the president will be involved in the forthcoming election.
He said, “The election is crucial to us. The reconciliation will continue after the election. Unfortunately, PDP has no one to be their candidate except our person. This reconciliation will continue after the election, and he will come back.
Responding, one of the aspirants, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, said he would use his resources to ensure that the party wins the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Akinterinwa, who noted that it is in the best interest of the party members that Governor Aiyedatiwa win the poll, said that he remained a committed party member, contrary to insinuations that he had dumped it.
Also, Chief Olusola Oke said,” I was involved in the primary. In a democracy, there must always be a contest. Sixteen, except one, have resolved to put all the past behind us. We believe that we must not allow Ondo State to slip into opposition. Our party will be victorious. We are leaders; we are Democrats. We will support our party. We have put the past behind us.”
At the meeting include APC National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by SSG, Talabi Olatokunbo, Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, Southwest National Vice Chairman, D.I Kekemeke, Chief Tajudeen Olusi among others.
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