Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced that his party is gearing up to reclaim Edo State in the forthcoming governorship election set for September 21, 2024. Ganduje expressed confidence in the party’s ability to regain control of the state, which he believes was lost due to internal conflicts within the APC.
Ganduje emphasized that the APC’s campaign efforts for the Edo election are robust and full of enthusiasm. “We are well-prepared for the election and are optimistic about our chances,” he said. “Edo State was previously governed by the APC, but internal issues led to a loss to the PDP. We are now focused on winning back the state and restoring it to our party.”
During a recent meeting with members of the Kano Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ganduje addressed the situation in Ondo State. He explained that Ondo is already an APC stronghold, and despite challenges following the death of the former governor, the party has resolved the issues and successfully conducted primaries. Ganduje affirmed that the APC is also preparing for the upcoming elections in Ondo, which are scheduled for November.
Ganduje outlined the strategic importance of winning the Edo election. If successful, the APC will add Edo to its list of states, increasing its total to 21 out of the 36 states in Nigeria. Looking ahead to the future, he highlighted plans to focus on Anambra State, which has been under the control of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for many years. The APC is aiming to make significant inroads in the Southeast region, starting with Anambra, and hopes to secure more states in the region over time.
The APC leader also addressed concerns about political activity in Nigeria, noting that many parties tend to be active only during election periods. Ganduje emphasized that the APC is committed to maintaining a strong presence throughout the year. “We are dedicated to keeping our party active and functional at all levels. This includes renovating and operationalizing our offices from the ward level up to the national level,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of internal democracy within the party to reduce factionalism and improve party unity. “Internal democracy is crucial for fostering understanding and cooperation within the party, especially as we approach elections,” Ganduje noted. He also pointed out the need for strong connections between party officials and officeholders, both at the state and national levels, to ensure effective governance and party management.
