The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday carpeted the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ajuri Ahmed, for holding the ruling party responsible for the crises in opposition parties.
Ahmed had accused APC of causing crises in some of the opposition political parties in order to retain power beyond 2027 on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state capital, while addressing journalists at the NNPP governorship campaign flag-off.
But in a statement, the APC State Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, described the claim of the NNPP national chairman as untrue and careless.
Otaloro said it was the opposition parties in the country that were weakening themselves due to lack of cohesion.
He noted that the APC government led by President Bola Tinubu was focused on reengineering the nation’s economy and had no time for politicking.
“We appreciate the role of opposition parties in putting the ruling party on its toes through constructive criticism. However, before merging with other parties, they should resolve their internal crises. A divided house cannot discuss mergers.
“The 2027 presidential election is not our current focus, as President Tinubu’s mandate has just begun. It’s God who puts leaders in office, and at the appointed time, President Tinubu will consider contesting for a second term,” Otaloro said.
The APC spokesperson dismissed the boast of the NNPP national chairman that his party would win the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.
He said: “Ajuri Ahmed’s boast that NNPP will capture Ondo State is misguided. The people are not animals to be captured. Moreover, NNPP’s governorship candidate, Gbenga Edema, was a former APC member who defected after losing the primary. This indicates NNPP’s lack of structure in Ondo State.
“Relying on surprises to win the election is absurd. The good work of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will be the yardstick for his victory in the November 16 governorship election. The people want empirical facts, and Governor Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled every indicator.
“NNPP should focus on what they will do differently from the APC-led government instead of relying on attacks and surprises.”