As APC Unites for Ondo 2024 Guber Election…

Fidelis David reports that last week’s stakeholders and reconciliation meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State ahead of the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election has proven that the party is ever ready for the poll and is not taking its chances for granted.

No doubt, the saying that “when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, is an indisputable fact because it has from time immemorial proved its veracity in practical terms in human evolution.

The All Progressives Congress has been exploring this saying, knowing fully well that it’s not just fascinating glimpse into what might be possible but a reminder that the landscape of planning and strategy is continuously evolving, and strategists must evolve with it to remain effective.

The above can be practically linked to last weekend’s stakeholders and reconciliation meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship poll.

Notably, the three Southwest governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) namely Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State were in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to rally stakeholders of the party in preparation for the governorship election.

The stakeholders meeting, which took place at The Dome in Akure, was also attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Southwest National Vice Chairman, Hon. Isaack Kekemeke.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, moderated the meeting, emphasizing the need for the party to mobilize effectively ahead of the Ondo election.

He said: “We are here to appreciate every party member. Whatever differences may have existed in the past, it’s time to set them aside and work together as one big family. Nobody will be left behind or taken for granted.

“President Bola Tinubu is aware of this gathering and keen on ensuring APC’s victory in the coming election. We are in this race to sustain the ongoing development. We can’t afford to let our progress be reversed.”

Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, highlighted the significance of the election, saying, “although we are marking my second year in office in Ekiti, I had to be here because the Ondo election is more important.”

He appealed to party members to remain united to preserve the achievements of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, adding, “This is why APC must be returned to power. The legacy the late governor left behind must be sustained.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and Prince Tajudeen Olusi of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council, stressed the need for unity in the party to ensure a smooth and decisive victory on November 16.

The APC National Chairman, Ganduje, revealed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will capture the Southwest geo-political zone in the next round of elections.

This is just as he urged all aggrieved governorship aspirants in the Ondo State governorship primary to close rank ahead of the election, noting that the state must be at the forefront in winning the zone.

He disclosed that the party will not reveal its secret in winning the other two remaining states in the next off-cycle governorship elections.

Ganduje who led other National Working Committee members of the party to the meeting said: “ In this geo-political zone, we must deliver 100 percent in favour of APC, therefore, Ondo State you must be at the forefront. The two other states, I will not reveal our secret but we assure you, we are strategizing. Everything must be 100 percent behind President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”

“This election is critical, and as party leaders, we must treat it with the seriousness it deserves. It is a task we must carry out diligently, not just for the state but for the party at large. This election is a win-win situation for everyone, and as the APC National Chairman, I expect nothing less than 90% of the total votes. Victory in Ondo is non-negotiable”, Ganduje stated.

To Capture Ondo Guber Poll is to Repeat Events of 1983, 1962

However, the Peoples Democratic Party, in a swift reaction faulted the remarks by Ganduje, for boasting that the intention of APC is to capture Ondo State and, by extension, the entire South-West region.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a statement described Ganduje’s comments as reckless and threatening.

“What Ganduje said about the APC’s plans to ‘capture’ Ondo and the South-West is both alarming and inappropriate. The term ‘capture’ implies forceful control or occupation, and we will not accept being enslaved in our own land.”

Ologunagba expressed worries that the collapse of democracy in Nigeria since 1983 was because of unguarded utterances and actions of reckless political actors who wanted to grab powers at by force.

“Historically, attempts to impose control have led to significant unrest. The ‘wetie’ crisis in the 1960s and the National Party of Nigeria’s (NPN) efforts to impose Akin Omoboriowo as governor in 1983 both serve as reminders of what happens when the will of the people is disregarded. Any attempt by the APC to force itself upon the people of Ondo State will be met with strong resistance.”

Also, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and leader of PDP in in the region while leading the campaign train of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming poll, Mr Agboola Ajayi, to the Akoko area of Ondo state last Wednesday said the people of the South West are now wiser, stressing that the results of the November 16 poll will shock Ganduje and other members of the ruling party.

“If wishes were horses, everybody would be riding it. I can tell you that the people of southwest of Nigeria are wiser and especially in Ondo State, where we are, you can see the crowd, look at the enthusiasm.

“On November the 16th, they will tell him that Ondo State and indeed Southwest is for the PDP. You rig where you are popular. Now, we have used Edo State as a template because we saw what they did.  And all the loopholes are being blocked right now. And our people are ready, they will come out. Not only will they come out to vote, they will also stay with their vote and ensure that the vote is counted and it counts.

“On November the 16th, write it down, PDP will prevail and Agboola Ajayi will be declared as the Governor-Elect. Not based on anything but the people of the state. It’s their wish and we can feel it all around us. Talk, they say is cheap. You can say whatever you like with your mouth but the people of Ondo State will speak loud and clear on the 16th of November 2024 and then all of us in this country will hear it loud and clear”, Makinde added.

Assurances of Oke, Kekemeke, Odu, Akinterinwa 

At the meeting, a former APC governorship aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke,  urged members to focus on the future. “In democracy, contests are normal, but our focus now is on the party’s interest, the state, and the country. We cannot allow the opposition to take our mandate. We are fully behind our candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”

National Vice Chairman, Kekemeke, called for collective mobilization ahead of the election, saying “Any internal disagreements should be laid to rest. Now is the time to rally behind Governor Aiyedatiwa and secure victory.”

Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, a former finance commissioner and gubernatorial aspirant, dismissed rumors of his defection from the APC, saying “I’ve heard speculations that I left the party; those are false. I am fully committed to APC and to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. What matters now is securing a prosperous future for Ondo State.”

Former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, said: “I am proud to be part of this gathering. Whatever happened in the past is behind us because the party is supreme. Now, we must focus on the future,” she remarked.

Responding to the expressions of support, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the party leaders and stakeholders for their show of love, unity and commitment.

“I am grateful for the show of solidarity from every corner of our party. Our administration has laid the groundwork for sustainable development, and we cannot afford to let that progress slip away. This election is about moving Ondo forward, and with your unwavering support, we will achieve that.

“We are working to improve infrastructure, enhance security, and create more opportunities for every citizen. With our united front, I have no doubt that we will deliver a resounding victory come November 16,” he added.

APC State Chairman,  Ade Adetimehin, stressed the importance of unity within the party, saying: “There are no divisions in our house. Ondo APC remains one indivisible family. We will make the national leadership proud by delivering a decisive victory in November.”