PDP Labels APC A ‘Monumental Failure,’ Calls Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa ‘Confused’

.Makinde: South-west will vote out APC due to economic hardships

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “monumental failure” and also characterised the Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as a “confused individual” lacking any clear plans or programmes. 

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a fair election on 16 November.

This comes as Aiyedatiwa urged the residents of Ondo State to support the ruling party in the forthcoming governorship election, asserting that no other party existed in the state.

Specifically, the governor declared that the PDP has effectively ceased to exist in the state. 

He noted that many prominent members of the party have defected to the APC, asserting, “We have torn the umbrella of the main opposition party into shreds. In this coming election, your vote must be for the APC.”

Responding to Aiyedatiwa’s assertions, Ologunagba, during an ARISE News interview yesterday, dismissed the comments as “hallucination,” noting that Aiyedatiwa’s true challenge lies within the APC itself.

“He knows within himself, number one, the challenge that he has is within his party, not even from PDP because they are not together; it’s a broken home,” he remarked, pointing to what he described as a “doubtful primaries election” that is troubling the governor.

Also, Ologunagba emphasised the PDP’s readiness to participate fully in the election, voicing the party’s concerns to the INEC.

He stated, “We have requested for the transfer of the current commissioner in Ondo State of INEC, who has been proven to be related to many APC leaders in Ondo State, and we’re saying we’re not comfortable.”

The PDP National Publicity Secretary added that the party wants a process that “everybody can be happy about” to ensure fairness in the upcoming election.

Reflecting on the spirit of Ondo voters, Ologunagba said, “The Ondo State people, they are resolute, and you know they are strong… we are determined. When we make up our minds, we know what to do.” Criticising the APC administration, he claimed that Governor Aiyedatiwa is “a confused individual who has no plan; who has no programme,” adding that PDP is confident in the people’s recognition of this “monumental failure.”

Addressing party matters, Ologunagba also clarified that “there was no action by Mr. Damagum with respect to the local government elections in Rivers State.

“There was no suspension, and in the records of the party, there was no suspension, there were disagreements, yes, there were disagreements, and that has been revolved.”

He further urged people to stop focusing on individual people in the party, asserting, “No one individual controls this party.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the people of the South-west will not support the APC in the 2027 general elections, citing the economic hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the ruling party.

Makinde, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-west, stated that Yoruba people across the region had realised their mistake in backing President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections. He emphasised that the region, which comprises key states like Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, and Ogun, would reconsider its stance in the next election cycle.

The governor made this known during a campaign rally in Ondo State, ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state. “The people of the SouthWest are wiser now, and especially in Ondo State. On November 16, they will send a clear message that the South-West belongs to the PDP,” Makinde said.

His comments come in response to recent remarks by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who claimed the ruling party would consolidate its hold on the South-west ahead of the 2027 elections. Ganduje, during a stakeholders’ meeting, had expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to “capture” the region for President Tinubu once again.

Asserting that the PDP still has firm control of the region and would prove its dominance in the upcoming polls. “Talk is cheap. You can say whatever you want, but the people of Ondo State will speak loudly and clearly on November 16, 2024, and it will echo across the nation,” the governor added.

The upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State is expected to serve as a litmus test for the political influence of both the APC and PDP in the South-west, ahead of the 2027 general elections.