The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has reaffirmed the ruling party’s commitment to reclaiming Oyo and Osun States from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the two states’ gubernatorial election.
Ganduje made this remark while speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting of the southwest APC in Akure, Ondo State, on Sunday.
He emphasized the party’s strategic plan to dominate the southwest geopolitical zone.
The meeting, which was held to reconcile governorship aspirants and other aggrieved members of the party ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, saw a large turnout of party leaders and members.
Ganduje assured the attendees that APC was working behind the scenes to ensure victory in the two PDP-controlled states.
“We assure you we are strategizing to take over the two other states in this region. I will not reveal our secret. Everything must be 100 per cent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.
The APC Chairman, however, called for unity within the party.
He urged aggrieved members and governorship aspirants to set aside their differences and rally behind the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the upcoming Ondo election.
He further announced Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman of the National Campaign Council for the Ondo election.
He emphasized the importance of delivering a landslide victory for APC.
“In this geopolitical zone, we must deliver 100 per cent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo state must be at the forefront. We are expecting 90 per cent total votes in the forthcoming governorship election.
“Visit house to house, neighbour to neighbour, and ensure that you mobilise people to come out to vote,” Ganduje added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, leading other southwest governors and party leaders at the meeting, echoed the call for unity, pleading with all aggrieved aspirants to work towards the party’s victory in Ondo.
“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,” he said.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji also noted the significance of the November 16 election.
He called it a defining moment for the Southwest as it would be the first election held under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
He urged all stakeholders to honour the legacy of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by ensuring a resounding victory for the APC.
Other prominent attendees at the meeting included Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Talabi Olatokunbo, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and Southwest National Vice Chairman Isaacs Kekemeke, among others.
The meeting was a strong demonstration of APC’s resolve to maintain its dominance in the southwest and ensure a smooth transition of leadership in Ondo State while laying the groundwork to expand its influence across the region.