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We won’t accept it — Ondo PDP candidate
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has announced that the party plans to replicate its Edo State election strategy to secure victories in the upcoming November 16 election in Ondo State and future elections in Anambra and other South East states.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday while celebrating Senator Monday Okpebholo’s victory with members of the Edo State election situation room, Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, emphasised the need for APC to establish a stronger presence in the South East.
“A big party like the APC should be more dominant in the South East. We are developing strategies to win in these states. Next year, Anambra State will be a key target. Our project, the political demarginalisation of the South East, is crucial,” Ganduje said.
He stressed that while the party currently controls two states in the region, it aims to expand further.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election has warned against any attempt to replicate the alleged irregularities that tainted the recent Edo election.
The group emphasised its determination to ensure a fair and transparent election on November 16.
In a statement issued by Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the PDP condemned the Edo election results, describing them as a “rape on democracy.”
Fadaka claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had failed to respect the people’s electoral wishes, alleging that the PDP was the true winner of the Edo governorship election.
“Nigerians are not fooled by the officially declared result by INEC; they know that PDP won that election,” Fadaka said, expressing disappointment that INEC relocated the collation of votes from local government centres to its headquarters in Benin, which he claimed violated electoral law.
The PDP also criticised the role of agencies responsible for ensuring a level playing field during the election, accusing them of failing in their duties.
Fadaka stressed that Ondo will not tolerate any electoral manipulation.
“We will not acquiesce or take kindly to any act geared towards compromising votes in our election,” he warned.
He added that the people of Ondo State are already protesting against the hardship caused by the APC government, citing inflation, poverty, and economic difficulties.
Fadaka affirmed that the PDP is committed to ensuring that votes are respected, stating, “Our protest day is the 16th of November.”
2027 election will be a walkover—APC N/Central Elders
In related news, APC elders from the North Central region, led by former Senate President Ameh Ebute, have expressed confidence that the 2027 general election will be a straightforward victory for the party.
They conveyed their congratulations to Ganduje at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, following his legal victory over a suit challenging his chairmanship.
Ebute remarked, “We are pleased with your leadership and the recent successes, including the victory in Edo. We have no doubt in your ability to lead the APC to new heights. With these achievements, we believe the 2027 election will be a walkover.”