By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The National Secretary of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the recent influx of sitting governors, declaring that the outcome of elections are not determined by the governors but by the electorate.
The former governor of Osun state expressed optimism that the ruling APC will be roundly defeated in 2027 arguing the people are solidly behind the coalition party.
Aregbesola made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of a Book titled “The Loyalist” written by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports and National Publicity Secretary of the ADC.
The ADC scrib recalled the 2023 general election scenario, pointing out that several sitting governors lost their states because the people voted against the governors wishes.
He said, “Something is going around now, which is worrisome to those who are democrats, the fact that in entirety, governors are supporting the party, and for that reason, they are undefeatable, and I laugh.
“I laugh because the recent statistics in Nigeria does not support this. The last election in this country and results, never supported this particular belief. If the party to which the governments are defecting are so sure, let them commit to a free and fair electoral process. That’s the first submission.
“The second submission can be resolve from two zones, that when you have governors with you, you are sure of it, I will use results from two zones, southwest and southeast.
“To push this argument that governors determine electoral forces of parties, in the southwest, APC controlled all the state except one.
“APC controlled all but one state, the maximum performance of that party in that election was 55% other parties took the rest. However, in that, in that zone, which was the own zone of the Presidential candidate of APC, APC had 55%, the other parties together, took the rest but that is not all. The APC was Lagos, the candidate of APC, he lost his ward, lost his local government, lost the state. “So where is this claim that governors win elections against the people’s will.
“The result of the Southeast is amazing. In the southeast, with the exception of Anambra, APC controlled Imo and Ebonyi. APC had 5.8% of total returns from that election. LP had 89.62%.”
“Commit yourself to a free and fair election and we see your truth. Commit yourself to a free and fair election, let us see what the result will be. That’s what we are asking for” he challenged the ruling party.
