Ogun 2027: APC Says It Is Ready to Contest Against All Eligible Candidates As PDP Laments Non-inclusion of Adedibu
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State has said that it is ready to contest against all eligible candidates just as the main opposition party in the state , the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, blamed the APC for the non-inclusion of its gubernatorial candidate in the list of those eligible to take part in the 2027 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday released the names of those eligible to take part in the gubernatorial election in Ogun State with PDP’s Ladi Adebutu conspicuously missing. The Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kayode Adebayo, has accused the ruling party of being responsible for the non-inclusion of its candidate in the final list of the candidates that will contest the gubernatorial elections by puting pressure on INEC
In a swift reaction to Mr. Kayode Adebayo and the candidate’s allegations to the effect that APC pressure on INEC was responsible for the non-listing of their candidate as a contestant in the governorship race, Chief Kayode Odunaro, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of APC Campaign Council stated that the factional PDP should cut INEC a slack in its effort to deliver a credible election following rule of law and clearly stated provisions of the Electoral Law of the nation.
“APC and its candidates are contestants with other political parties’ candidates in the race towards 2027 under INEC as the umpire and regulatory body. How can anyone now attribute the failure of PDP to follow through on simple administrative procedures and adherence to rules of the game as pressure from APC on INEC leading to the non-listing of their candidate as a contestant. Besides, other candidates from other states suffered the same fate as factional PDP in Ogun State for similar non adherence to the law. The nationally comatose PDP should stop the blame game on APC and its flagbearer, Senator Solomon Adeola for all their gambling tendencies in simple matters of following laid down rules” Chief Odunaro stated.
The chairman of the APC Campaign Council Media and Publicity Committee stated that APC and its candidate for the governorship election, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi are ready to contest with any candidate in the race as certified by INEC stressing however that it would be a waste of time and energy to focus on a candidate and party that the umpire refused to list as a participant in the game.
“Our stand on this is that APC and its candidate for the governorship race is campaigning to win based on proven and verifiable performance, capacity, equity and justice with its 9-Point ITESIWAJU Manifesto. We do not sympathize with any party or candidate that run foul of the rules of the game in any way. We all know what happens to a team fielding an ineligible player in a game of even football. More like scoring an own goal to lose the match whatever other score on the scoreboard” Chief Odunaro stated.
The APC in Ogun State restated it readiness to test the overwhelming popularity of its flagbearer, Senator Adeola at the February poll stressing that the state cannot be pigeonhole to have what amounts to an “Iperu to Iperu Governor” represented by the PDP candidate in 2027.
