The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned as reckless a recent statement made by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, in which he claimed that the APC would ‘capture’ Ondo State and the entire South West region.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed the party’s concerns during a conversation with reporters at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
Ologunagba criticized Ganduje’s remarks, stating, “What he (Ganduje) said was that the APC was going to ‘capture’ Ondo and by extension, the South West, is reckless and threatening. If you look at the dictionary meaning of the word ‘capture,’ it involves forceful control/occupation and enslavement. We cannot be enslaved in our own land.”
He further noted that the South West has a long-standing tradition of resistance and democratic values, “The South-West has always been the bastion of opposition and democracy. For Ganduje to come to Ondo State to issue such a threat is worrisome.”
Ologunagba also drew parallels to historical events that destabilized the region, warning against a repetition of past mistakes.
He remarked, “That was what scuttled the First Republic, the ‘wetie’ in the 1960s. History repeated itself in 1983 when the ruling National Party of Nigeria tried to force Akin Omoboriowo as governor in Ondo State. History is threatening to repeat itself. Any attempt of the APC to force itself upon the people of Ondo State will be resisted by the people.”
In addition to condemning Ganduje’s comments, the PDP reiterated a call made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for the redeployment of the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola. The PDP accused the REC of aligning with APC leaders and displaying overt partisanship.
