Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced that the ruling party is set to dominate the South-West region, starting with a win in the upcoming November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State.
Ganduje made this declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he was accompanied by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Ogun State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Talabi Olatokunbo, among other key party leaders.
He emphasized the APC’s commitment to extending its influence ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly targeting Oyo and Osun states to strengthen support for President Bola Tinubu.
“In this geopolitical zone, we must deliver 100 percent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo State, you must be at the forefront; the two other states – Oyo and Osun – we will capture them, but I will not reveal our secret. We are strategising. Everything must be 100 percent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ganduje stated.
The APC Chairman expressed confidence in Ondo’s incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, declaring that the national party leaders have fully backed his candidacy. “In this coming election, we are solidly behind Governor Aiyedatiwa. We have made arrangements at the national level to have a successful election, and I announce Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman National Campaign Council,” Ganduje added.
He urged party members to engage in grassroots mobilization, stating, “This election is a task that must be done. We are encouraged by this large crowd of stakeholders. It shows there is unity, solidarity, and vigour in the party. We are expecting 90 percent votes in the forthcoming governorship election. You have to visit house to house, neighbour to neighbour, and ensure that people come out to vote.”
In his appeal for party unity, Ganduje also called on the aspirants who contested the governorship primary with Aiyedatiwa to put aside any grievances and work together for the party’s victory. “Let me remind those who contested the primary election with Aiyedatiwa that they are not losers because there is no victor, no vanquish in the exercise,” he said.