Author: The Nation

Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it has noted the recent comments credited to former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in which he asserted that governors’ defections would not decide the 2027 elections and attempted to unduly hype the academic victory of the opposition during the 2023 presidential election in Lagos by citing the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

The party in a statement yesterday in Ogba, Lagos, said: ‘’While every citizen is entitled to an opinion, Lagos APC considers it necessary to place the facts on record and correct the sweeping conclusions and convenient omissions embedded in Aregbesola’s remarks.

‘’First, it is intellectually disingenuous to isolate Lagos from the broader national picture. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election not by accident, but by building the widest national coalition, winning the constitutional spread, and securing the mandate of Nigerians across diverse regions. Presidential elections are won at the national level, not on the basis of a single state, however symbolic. To suggest otherwise betrays either a poor grasp of electoral realities or a deliberate attempt to mislead.

‘’Second, it is convenient for Aregbesola to forget that the so-called opposition ‘victory’ in Lagos during the presidential election was pyrrhic at best. It neither altered the national outcome nor endured beyond that single contest. Just days later, during the governorship election, Lagosians reaffirmed their confidence in the APC and the progressive tradition by returning the party to office. Even more instructive, subsequent off-season bye-elections across the state produced sweeping victories for the APC, a clear and unmistakable reflection of the progressive party’s enduring control, structure, and grassroots acceptance in Lagos.

‘’Third, far from diminishing President Tinubu’s stature, the Lagos presidential election results enhanced his democratic credentials. They stand today as incontrovertible proof of his belief in, and commitment to, a credible electoral process. The fact that an opposition candidate could win in a state governed by his party underscores the integrity of the process under his watch and silences any lingering doubts about his democratic ethos.

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‘’On the issue of defections, the APC has never claimed that defections alone win elections. What wins elections are performance, credibility, structure, leadership and a compelling vision. Where defections occur in favour of the APC, they are often a response to the glaring failure, incoherence and lack of ideological direction within opposition ranks. They are a consequence, not a cause, of the ruling party’s political strength.

‘’We understand the nightmare the current wave of mass defections has unleashed on the opposition. The panic, denial and rhetorical outbursts now on display are symptoms of a political camp struggling with its own impending irrelevance. We reaffirm, without equivocation, that those horrific dreams will indeed come true in 2027, when the opposition – bereft of ideas, unity and credibility  – will disappear into the winds of history.

‘’Finally, Lagos APC finds it curious that individuals who once benefitted immensely from the progressive platform built by Asiwaju Tinubu now seek relevance by attempting to downplay his political stature. History is clear, consistent, and unkind to revisionism. The political trajectory of modern Nigeria cannot be told without acknowledging the foundational role played by President Tinubu in building coalitions, nurturing leaders, and institutionalising progressive governance.

‘’As 2027 approaches, APC remains focused on governance, economic reforms, national stability, and improving the lives of Nigerians. We urge all political actors to rise above polemics and engage Nigerians with ideas, solutions, and verifiable records – not selective memories and convenient amnesia.’’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Gbenga Eleduma, has described the past 50 years as a period of remarkable transformation and steady advancement for the state.

In a statement in Abuja to mark the golden jubilee of the state’s creation, the Owo-born businessman and politician said successive administrations had laid solid foundations that continued to yield visible dividends in infrastructure, education, health care, agriculture and cultural identity.

Eleduma, who is also a well-known philanthropist, said Ondo State had evolved from its early days as a newly carved entity into one of the most resilient and promising states in the federation.

“The story of Ondo State at 50 is one of grit, vision and collective effort.

“We have witnessed great strides in road networks, educational institutions, power supply projects, industrial clusters and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.

“These achievements did not come by chance; they are the result of purposeful leadership and the indomitable spirit of our people,” he said.

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Eleduma lauded past and present leaders for their contributions, while expressing particular appreciation for the current administration’s focus on security, youth empowerment and economic diversification.

The APC stalwart described the ongoing 50th-anniversary celebrations, which include cultural festivals, public lectures, sporting events and statewide thanksgiving services as a fitting platform to reflect on the journey so far and to rededicate efforts toward building an even more prosperous future.

“Fifty years is a significant milestone, but it is not the destination. It is a launch pad,” he said.

“As we celebrate how far we have come, let us also commit ourselves to the work that lies ahead. The best chapters of Ondo State’s history are still being written.”

He called on all citizens home and in the diaspora to remain united, support government initiatives, and contribute their quota to sustaining the momentum of growth and development.

“Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, and with God on our side and the people working together, the future of Ondo State remains bright,” he concluded.