The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has criticized the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, for allegedly intending to replicate the strategy employed in the Edo State election for the upcoming Ondo election.
The PDP, through a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, underscores that the residents of Ondo State stand resolute against intimidation or coercion.
PDP further warned that any move to undermine the people’s choice will face opposition, with a reminder that the events of 1979 remain vivid in the minds of Nigerians.
He said: “The entire world was not only embarrassed but ashamed of what Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s sham called the Edo State Governorship Election held on Saturday, 21st September, 2024.
“While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Police were yet to clear themselves of partisanship and complicity in the election, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who flew into Benin with a police helicopter, was gloating in Abuja that Ondo and Anambra would receive the Edo treatment when governorship elections hold in these states.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter believes that most Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora are beginning to lose hope in our hard-earned democracy when major players like Ganduje openly allude to the fact that their votes will not count as long as men like him hold influential positions.
“Ganduje’s victories were the surest confirmation that the election was rigged. Instead of being sober for subverting the will of the people, Ganduje robbed salt on injury by saying that his party intends to control all five South Eastern States.
“Perhaps it is important to remind Ganduje that Ondo State is not one of the states where the people can be intimidated or cowed. Our people are very enlightened and resilient.
“When the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) attempted to subvert the will of the people, the people proved to the Shagari government that they were different. That tradition has not died.”