By Jude Opara, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje yesterday charged members of the party in Oyo state to remain united to ensure victory both at the presidential and the Oyo state governorship elections.
Ganduje spoke in Abuja when the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu led members of the National Assembly caucus from the state on a courtesy visit at the National Secretariat of the party.
He regretted that Oyo state which is supposed to be an APC state fell into the hands of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it was as a result of the internal crisis that rocked the party in the state since 2019.
The former Governor of Kano state added that the reelection of President Bola Tinubu and winning of the Oyo state governorship election in 2027 is a task that must be done.
He added that members of the party especially in the South West must work hard to maintain the homogeneity of the party in the zone, especially now that the sitting President is from the region.
“Oyo State is part of our blueprint which we call political party homogeneity. We have been looking for unity and uniformity in Oyo State. Now we are seeing elements of unity and uniformity.
“We are concerned about the unity of Oyo State and the unity of Nigeria and the homogeneity of the South West because our 2027 is a task that must be done.
“We made it clear when we came on board that it will not be business as usual. Political parties in developing countries are always active during election time, but we say that an institution like a political party should not be an organization just for election period. Political party leads with knowledge not trial and error.
“We use planning and forecast, many variables and we put people who know the job and the way. We want the party to be active in the State throughout the year. We want your party offices from the ward, to the Local Government levels be physically habitable and functionally operational by having constant meetings. That is how you can be connected and coherently alive and more importantly intimidate the opponents.
The APC boss equally said that by New year, he will be visiting the state to ensure that every thing needed for the party to triumph would be put in place.
“Make sure that when I come to Ibadan next year, I will visit some of the offices. Three Senators, House of Representatives, we virtually have the government and all that it requires is to take the other half.
“I have already told you our blueprint about President Bola Tinubu. Coming home as the son of the soil, he cannot afford to see a beautiful fowl with the head of a vulture. In Oyo State, political party homogeneity is the answer.
“Anybody who is patriotic about the unity of this country, anybody in love with this country, should be happy that your geopolitical zone has produced the president”.
Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said that he was happy that the crisis that caused the party victory both in 2019 and 2024 governorship elections in Oyo state has been resolved.
“I am happy that the party from the Oyo State is fully united. Be that as it may, I want to re-emphasise the importance of today’s visit.
“What the party has achieved in the last couple of months is not meàn feat. So this team is officially paying a congratulatory visit to our Chairman on the recent victories that we achieved in Edo and Ondo States. We are confident that this victory will be extended to the remaining states in the Southwest and Nigeria.
“As the Chairman also mentioned, the strategy for the Southwest is homogeneity. But the President is from the Southwest. So we have no reason to leave any state behind in the Southwest. There must be homogenous party existence, victory and support from Mr President. So I want to congratulate Mr Chairman and his team for the wonderful feat they achieved in these two states”.
Adelabu added that the party is positioned to win the governorship election since according to him there is no more faction in the state.
“There is no faction in Oyo State APC again and we are more determined than ever before to take over the governance in Oyo State.
“I believe we lost the last two elections, not to non-popularity of the party in the states or due to lack of effort on our part. But it is division. A house that is divided against itself will surely fail. Oyo State is an APC State. We all know that”.
