Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government of planning to foist a one-party system on the country.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Mallam Bala Mohammed accused the APC-led Federal Government of sponsoring the crisis in the Labour Party (LP) and other major opposition political parties to ensure a one-party system in the country.
Speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the flag-off of the campaign of the party’s candidate, Hon Agboola Alfred Ajayi, ahead of the November 16 governorship election, Mohammed said the plan of one party would not be allowed to triumph.
Pointedly, Mohammed said the PDP would put its house to give the ruling APC a stiff challenge in the forthcoming governorship election.
Also, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State said the PDP’s candidate would win in a free and fair contest as the ruling APC has made life unbearable for the citizens of the state and the country.
Adeleke expressed confidence that PDP is in the best position to win the election in Ondo State as people are tired of the misrule of the ruling party both at the state and national levels.
Adeleke urged the people of Ondo State to set themselves free from the captivity of hunger and suffering the APC government has put them to by voting en masse for Agboola Ajayi, whom he described as a tested and trusted personality.
His words: “Work from house to house and vote Agboola Ajayi to set you free from suffering. Our candidate is a tested hand. I can assure you, we will rejoice.”
Similarly, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) should ensure free and fair elections in the governorship election.
Makinde said the PDP is not afraid of free contests but appealed to INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakub, to allow a level playing field for all the contestants. He said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, should be removed before the election to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election.
His words “Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, you must remove Mrs Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, because she is from this state. There is no way she can be fair. If you refuse to remove her, we will continue to protest till you remove her. We will not allow you to repeat what you did in Edo.”
“Don’t vote and cook soup. We have seen where this has taken us. Don’t suffer for another four years. This is the beginning of victory for the people of Ondo State. This is another opportunity to rescue yourselves from the hardship APC has subjected you.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro advised the electorate to come and vote for the candidate of the PDP and defend their votes from those who may want to manipulate the election.
Speaking after he handed over the flag to the candidate and his running mate, Hon Festus Akingbaso, the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagun said the people should reject APC and its candidate in the November 16 election.
Damagun said the APC would come with money to woo them during the election. He, however, said they should reject one-day money that may lead to four years of punishment. He said that the spaghetti they gave in the 2023 election had ended, and people were suffering because of the monetization of the election.
Senator Sam Egwu, who represented Senator Adolphus Wabara, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevent some unscrupulous persons from scuttling democratic governance in the country.
The BOT Chairman said I want to call on Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remember that “you’re a Democrat, you fought under NADECO, allow democracy to thrive under your government. Don’t allow anti-democratic person thrive. We want the election in Ondo State to be fair.”