The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, said on Sunday that the ruling party was doing everything to take over Oyo and Osun states from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ganduje spoke on Sunday at a stakeholders meeting of the southwest APC held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
The meeting was conveyed to reconcile governorship aspirants and other aggrieved members of the party before the November 16 election in the state.
The national chairman disclosed that the plan of APC was to capture all the states in the southwest geo-political zone.
“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 percent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Ganduje urged all the aggrieved governorship aspirants to sheathe their swords and close ranks for APC and its candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to win the forthcoming election in Ondo state.
The national chairman, who led other National Working Committee members of the party to the meeting, announced the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the Chairman of the National Campaign Council of the party for the election.
He said: “In this geopolitical zone, we must deliver 100 percent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo state must be at the forefront.
“We have made every arrangement at the national level to have a successful election. We are here to give you hope, encourage you, and that this election is a task that must be done. We are encouraged by this large crowd of stakeholders.
“This shows that there is unity, solidarity and vigour in the party. Those who contested the primary are not losers because there was no victor and vanquished in the exercise.
“We are expecting 90 percent total votes in the forthcoming governorship election. Visit house to house, neighbour to neighbour and ensure that you go round and mobilise people to come out to vote.”
Governor Sanwolu led other governors and leaders of the party in the zone to the meeting.
He pleaded with aggrieved leaders and aspirants of the party to work and ensure the victory of the party in the poll.
“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. We are here to tell you that none of you will be left behind.
“Nobody will be taken for granted. You are critical to the delivery of the forthcoming governorship election. The gathering is to embrace all of us. It is for all of us to agree.
“We are here to support, encourage, and appease you. I am happy with the turnout. Let me thank Chief Olusola Oke, Isaac Kekemeke, Wale Akinterinwa and others.”
Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, noted that the November 16 election would be the first election to be conducted under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu in the southwest zone.
Oyebanji said: “November 16th is a defining moment for us as a zone. This election would be the first election to be conducted under the leadership of President Tinubu, the first election after the demise of Arakunrin Akeredolu.
“So, we must preserve what he had worked and laboured for. Do this for the president. Do this for history and do this for prosperity.”
At the meeting were APC National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun represented by SSG, Talabi Olatokunbo; Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele; National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru; Southwest National Vice Chairman, Isaacs Kekemeke, Chief Tajudeen Olusi; Olusola Oke; Wale Akinterinwa among others.