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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Cross River: Owan-Enoh extends olive branch to Usani

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Senator John Owan-Enoh has appealed to the Minister of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Usani and his supporters to work with him for the success of the party in the state.

    Owan-Enoh and Usani have had a face-off over the governorship ticket of the party.

    A statement, signed by Owan-Enoh, made available to The Nation in Calabar on Wednesday read, “Sequel to the Monday January 7, 2019 declaration by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja, presided over by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi rejecting the claim by the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani to being the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in our dear state, Cross River, I hereby heartily invite Pastor Usani and his supporters to the larger APC fold in the state.

    “Justice Adeniyi who delivered judgment on Usani vs APC, INEC & Owan-Enoh, actually dismissed the suit and asserted that:

    1). Usani’s case was found to be full of contradictory claims and forgeries.

    2). Usani’s affidavit in support of originating summons was unreliable.

    3). Usani was found not to be an aspirant and his case  not justiciable in tandem with the laws of the country.

    4). That Etim John’s supervised primary was illegal and contrary to the party’s constitution and guidelines for primaries.

    “In the light of the above, the court dismissed Usani’s claim to be declared the governorship candidate and consequently upheld me as the APC governorship standard bearer in Cross River State.

    “But as a strong believer in the Fabian political philosophy whose underlying assumption advances the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies rather than revolutionary overthrow, I urge my brother, Pastor Usani and his supporters to sheathe the sword and embrace peace in the overall interest of our party and our state, so that together we can rescue our state from mediocrity and mis-governance.

    “I strongly believe that responsible politics all over the world is premised on compromise or give-and-take, without which development would be seen in the dividing line between savagery and barbarism. Politics of civility and enlightenment for which our state is renowned over the years should be uppermost in our minds. Losers should accept their defeat with equanimity and winners share their victory with magnanimity.

    “I wish also to appeal to the sensibilities of my esteemed supporters, to eschew bitterness and rancour and embrace Pastor Usani and his supporters as members of the enlarged APC family in the state. This victory is not for me but for our party, APC, for democracy and most essentially, for our dear state which has been rendered prostrate by three and a half years of inept leadership provided by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Together, we shall form a united front to extricate our state from the stranglehold of oppression, bigotry, poverty, hunger, corruption and underdevelopment. This is not the time for intrigues and subterfuge.

    “As members of one party, one family, one manifesto and one symbol, I welcome back Pastor Usani and his supporters to join hands with me and my supporters to provide the required leadership that Cross Riverians are earnestly yearning for. The broom is not only a symbol of cleanliness and integrity, it also symbolizes unity and strength. For, it is quite easy to break a broomstick but quite impossible to break the bundle of brooms. Let us come together and work as a team towards the March 2, 2019 governorship election.Victory awaits us.”

  • Kwara can’t be part of South West Zone, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki says the people of Kwara will resist plans to “ annex’’  the state to the South West Zone using the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    Saraki spoke on Tuesday at Bode Saadu, headquarters of Moro Local Government Area,  at the official flag off of the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “This election is not about me or our governorship candidate, Razak Atunwa. It’s about this state, our tradition. Time will tell about whatever we do today.

    “We go back to PDP because we need a government that will care for our people, give jobs to our people,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the people of the state, particularly the electorate,  to ignore any differences they may have with all the candidates of the party and vote massively for PDP during the general elections.

    Speaking in the same vein, the Director-General of the PDP Campaign Council in Kwara, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, urged the party faithful to vote for PDP.

    According to him, the coming general elections would be between the indigenes of Kwara and non-indigenes.

    “Kwara belongs to the North, we will not allow Kwara to be taken away from us to the West.

    Read Also: Saraki’s aide accuses minister of doctoring tape

    “Our leader is Dr Bukola Saraki, our president is Abubakar Atiku, our incoming governor is Atunwa,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Gov. Abdufatah Ahmed of Kwara said the flag-off campaign would usher in another PDP government in the state and Nigeria.

    “You can all see hunger, poverty in the last three years of APC government. We want to bring in PDP to change the narrative. We shall usher in PDP government in Nigeria and Kwara,” he said.

    The state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Kola Shittu, said only a PDP government would be beneficial to the people of the state and Nigerians in general.

    ” A PDP government will provide jobs for our youths. Many people have decamped to PDP because of our leader’s sincerity and people-oriented programmes,” he said.

    In his remarks, the PDP governorship candidate, Abdulrazak Atunwa,  promised to run a government that would focus on the welfare of the people.

    “Our government shall provide jobs for the people. Women will also be empowered,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Rousing support as Abiodun flags-off campaign

    Governorship candidate  of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday flagged – off his campaign at Atan, the headquarters of Ijebu North East Local Government Area, pledging to keep his electioneering promises if elected Governor come March 2, this year.

    Abiodun, who received rousing welcome and support of thousands of party faithful and  supporters,  said that his administration would implementing programmes  contained in his policy documents, if he is elected into office.

    The frontline governorship candidate and successful entrepreneur, added that the only way to deliver his policy documents would be by  returning power to the Local Governments in the state  to enable them perform their constitutional roles effectively and efficiently.

    He rued the situation where Local Government Chairmen  would  have to first run to Abeokuta routinely begging for funds from the Governor before they could perform even fractions of their rudimentary roles.

    He said: “By returning power to local government chairmen to operate unfettered, council bosses will no longer have to go to Abeokuta to beg for funds to run their administration.

    “They will be like mayors, like what we have in the advanced countries. By so doing, they will have time to deliver good programmes for the people of their immediate communities.

    “Also, there will be prompt payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants in the state, without delivering.”

    He recalled that indigenes and residents of the Local Government  would not forget that when he  pledged in 2015 while jostling for Ogun East Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC,  he made good of his promise with personal donation of six transformers to Isonyin, Eruwon and eight other communities that were without electricity for almost 10 years.

    The Governorship hopeful  appealed for the massive votes of the Local government as was done in 2015, to enable him emerge victorious at the governorship poll.

    “Don’t be confused, but ensure you cast your votes for as your next governor of Ogun State. You should know where you are coming from and know where you are going,” he said.

    Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Sen Gbenga Kaka, appealed to the people of Ijebu North-East to be wary of candidates they are going to vote for, in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said except those who are bind would not be able to differentiate what is good from bad.

    Kaka said:”Except those who are blind would not be able to differentiate what is good from bad.

    “You are to follow a right path by casting your votes for a good candidate like Dapo Abiodun as your next governor of Ogun State.

    He and his running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, enjoy strong support from the Federal, State and local government levels.”

    However, no fewer than 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Local Government dumped the three parties and declared their support for Abiodun and APC.

    Also, about 50 traditional rulers under the aegis of Council of Baales drawn from various communities and villages within the local government  expressed support for Abiodun governorship ambition and prayed for his success at the polls.

    Spokesperson of the Council of Baales, High Chief Durojaiye Olugbode, said the landmark kindness of the APC governorship candidate as recorded when he was contesting for Ogun East Senatorial seat in 2015 spurred them to endorse him as their governorship candidate.

    He said Abiodun redeemed his pledge when their respective communities were in total darkness and he provided six transformers that have restored electricity.

    Earlier in the day, executives and members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ijebu-Ode branch, who had converged on the Palace of the Olisa of Ijebu – Ode, High Chief Rasheed Adesanya, also prayed and endorsed the APC candidate as the next governor of the state.

    Notable personalities in attendance include Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Sen Dipo Odujinrin, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Chief (Mrs) Lola Oduwole, Maj Richard Ajayi (rtd), among others.

     

  • Partake actively in politics, Lawmaker urges Women

    The lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in Ondo state, Hon Bamidele Baderinwa (White) on Saturday urged women to actively participate in politics.

    This is to meet up with the 35 percent affirmative promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

    Baderinwa made the appeal while distributing items which include deep freezer, standard fridges and refrigerators of various sizes to over 100 women in Ero, Ifedore Local Government Area.

    The lawmaker who said such participation would avail women opportunities to agitate for what belong to them in the political circle, maintained that the beneficiaries worth compensation based on their role in the 2015 general elections.

    According to him, “The women had put in their best, they were fully on ground and engaged before and during the campaign, both days and nights and also ensure that our party emerged victorious at the polls”.

    “Such efforts deserve appreciation for others to emulate in the future”.

    Read Also: Group urges monarchs to shun politics

    Wife of the donor, Mrs Felicia Baderinwa hailed women for their patience and commitment during electioneering campaigns and elections.

    She charged them to do more in the coming elections, noting that the initiative was meant to encourage women.

    Mrs Baderinwa urged others in position of authority to do same, while charging women not to neglect their roles as wife and mothers at home.

    Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aro Fagite and Mrs Rachael Amininuola expressed delight on items received

    They promised to remain committed to the course of the donor through massive mobilization for the victory of the APC in the next month general elections.

    The event was witnessed by party leaders from Idanre and Ifedore local government areas of Ondo State.

     

  • It’s no fun governing Adamawa, says Bindow

    Amidst intra-party opposition mounted mostly by fellow All Progressives Congress (APC) party men who aspired against him for the party’s governorship  ticket in last October’s primary election,  the state governor, Senator Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, said Thursday that governing the state is a difficult  task.

    Only on Wednesday, Bindow’s closest challenger to the governorship ticket of the party in that primary, Ahmed Mahmood (Modi) and his frontline supporter, Babachir Lawal, had addressed the media, asserting that Bindow is not qualified for the APC’s ticket in view of a certificate forgery allegation against him, and that the party would lose the state if Bindow remained the flag bearer. Similarly, Bindow’s other challenger in the party’s governorship primary election held in October 2018, Nuhu Ribadu, who had always questioned the primary election that produced Bindow as the standard bearer for the March 2019 governorship election, had indicated his unwillingness to support Bindow when he handed his re-branded campaign offices and cars to President Muhammadu Buhari for his presidential re-election campaign.

    Making an indirect reference to the criticism against his government and candidacy of the APC  at a function Thursday in Yola, Bindow said governing the state  is no tea party and that he is too preoccupied with the difficult issues of governance to bandy words with opposition.

    Speaking at the inauguration of Next Level, a campaign programme initiated for him and President Muhammadu Buhari by a support group, Home Front, Bindow said, “I am focused at leaving a legacy behind. I have seen that some people must find things to say against me. I won’t join issues with them. I just want to face what I am here for. There are things I am doing that were not seen before. It is daunting governing Adamawa. When people talk as if it is easy, I laugh; but God brought me in and has been finding ways for me.”

    Read Also: Bindow presents N230bn for 2019 fiscal year

    Reporters sought his attention after the Home Front event at the City Green Hotel in Jimeta, Yola, on the claim by Modi that he (Modi) could still beat him to the APC ticket, and the assertion by Babachir that APC would lose Adamawa if it fields him (Bindow) as the governorship candidate because of issues surrounding his secondary school certidicate, Bindow abstained from a direct comment, saying the case is in court; but a former National Vice Chairman of the APC (Northeast), Dr Umaru Duhu, had addressed the media earlier in the day, accusing Babachir of anti-party activity and seeking his expulsion from the party.

    Duhu said during the briefing at the Correspondents’ Chapel in Yola Thursday morning, “Primaries of the party were conducted at all levels. A loyal party man, whether he benfitted or not, should wish his party to win general elections at all levels by embracing the candidates that were elected. It beats my imagination that somebody in the caliber of BD (Babachir David) Lawal who was the second national vice chairman of this party after me will come out to say that APC will lose Adamawa if Bindow is fielded as the candidate. It’s sad and I feel I owe it as a duty to reply Mr BD Lawal and to say it is tantamount to anti-party activity punishable under the laws of the APC.”

    Duhu said however that he is satisfied that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which has the power to disqualify candidates, had certified Bindow fit for the APC governorship candidacy, and appealed to Adamawa people to vote for him come March for a second term as governor.

  • Amosun deserves our sympathy – Ogun APC

    The Ogun State Chapter of the  All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday said outgoing  Governor Ibikunle  Amosun deserves  pity and prayer over alleged recent  anti – Prince Dapo Abiodun comment, which the party added, portrayed the Governor as one suffering from exit fear.

    The Governor had reportedly claimed the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Abdulkabir Akinlade, would defeat his party gubernatorial candidate, Dapo Abiodun, in the March 2019 governorship polls.

    Reacting through a statement by the Publicity Secretary to the Ogun APC State Executive Caretaker Committee, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, and made available to The Nation, APC said Amosun actually deserves sympathy and not condemnation, stressing that he has lost touch with political reality in the Gateway State.

    The statement reads in part:

    “But for the fact that the reported outbursts of the governor were reported by a credible online medium, we would not have taken him serious; and for the fact that friends in the media have been asking for response, we would not have reacted.”

    “However, rather than exchange words with the governor, we would call on members of the public  to please sympathize with the governor and pray for him, as he is obviously manifesting outgoing syndrome resulting from political amnesia, loss of touch with reality and fear of life after office.

    Read Also: Amosun signs N400.3b budget into law

    “For an individual to attempt to play God, and assault the collective intelligence of the well informed people of Ogun State by telling them who the next governor of Ogun State will be, as if he has already written the results, shows that such person deserves our pity; we don’t need to exchange words with him, but to actually sympathize with him on his present state of paranoia on Prince Dapo Abiodun.”

    “The constant, unceasing and monotonous attack on Dapo Abiodun by the governor and his minions shows that our candidate is the leading contestant and his imminent victory is only a matter of weeks.

    “We challenge the governor to publish the recent survey he commissioned and which he read to some leaders in his house last week, wherein it was revealed that his preferred governorship candidate will not only lose the election, but also lose in the governor’s hitherto strongholds of Ifo, Ewekoro and Ado Odo Ota local governments.”

    “Our party and candidate will remain focused, maintain decorum and continue to sell out policies and programmes to the good and discerning people of Ogun State, even as we are sure of victory.

  • Ayade lies about everything, cannot stand opposition – Owan-Enoh

    The Cross River State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John Owan-Enoh, has accused Governor Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of lying about everything as far the programmes and policies of government are concerned.

    In a press conference in Calabar, Owan-Enoh also said the present administration in the state could not withstand position and was doing everything it could to stifle them.

    Owan-Enoh, who presently represents Cross River Central in the Senate, in the state needed to be change, and he was in the race to restore hope and confidence in the people.

    He said, “This is an administration that lies on everything. It is not the kind of thing that we are looking forward to. The government needs to be changed. This administration doesn’t know Cross River. It is not interested in Cross River and its future and we need to change it. This administration cannot stand competition because of how woefully they have done. And they try to stamp out opposition. This administration tries to posture in Abuja as being friendly to President Muhammadu Buhari, but back at home, it is fighting opposition and doing things that are unspeakable.

    “People ask me where my billboards are. My billboards are not here in Calabar particularly because this administration cannot stand seeing my billboards. They were pulling them down.

    “Officials of the campaign organization are getting intimidating calls everyday. We are in a civil society and it is important this administration understands so. It needs to know that the election is going to be competitive. It is going to be keenly contested. We have candidates for every state constituency, every federal constituency, and the senatorial district and the governorship candidate.

    “I would like to appeal to the generality of Cross Riverians, those at home and those in diaspora that the 2019 governorship election is going to be a very consequential election. Let everyone get involved.

    Read Also: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    Better days are possible again. None of the two previously civilian administration got elected on the altar of ethnicity. They got elected on the basis of their credentials and what they were expected to do and they delivered in Cross River.

    “Cross River is in an unusual situation and requires an unusual response. 2019 is not about the north, central or south districts of the state. It is about Cross River and about who has the blueprint to deliver, who can be trusted, who can take us to the next level, and who can change the narrative of the state.

    “We are in an era where government needs to create the enabling environment for industrialists, for the private sector to come and invest. The public government has no business going about building industries. That is the best way to go about stealing the resources of the state. Government has no business building industries in the year 2019. Any government that does so wants to encourage corruption. It wants to put hands in the public till. That is what it is.

    “The greatest achievement of this administration which it talks about every day is the garment factory. I challenge this administration to come clean first on the true ownership of the garment factory, secondly, with how much was spent to build and thirdly, three and a half years later, how much has that garment factory generated for the state.

    “This administration spends time on window dressing. It cannot get anything right. I would run an administration that would be sincere. I believe in what I am doing. When Liyel Imoke handed over to Ayade in 2915 Cross River became the 11th largest economy in Nigeria. The latest statistics indicate we are at 36. We are at rock bottom as a state. As a state, how bad can it get before people take action to change the course of their lives. The 2019 governorship election is about the future of Cross River.”

    Owan-Enoh called on disgruntled party men and women to work together to oust the present government in the state.

    “The APC is one big family. I would like to call for cooperation, for reconciliation. I appeal that we all get back together. The matters that seek to divide us are not as important as the matter that confronts us as a state. We should get back together in one party and win this election. Cross Riverians expect us and are praying for us to win, even those who are appointed in his government. People are yearning for redemption and today I take up the challenge,” he said.

  • PDP accuses APC of diverting N478m NDDC fund to rent crowd

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) alleged yesterday that  the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretly drew  over N478 million from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ‘rent a crowd and offset bills’ in respect of the President Muhammadu Buhari  re-election campaign rally flagged off on Friday  in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State

    The PPCO also accused President Buhari of directly appointing serving ministers and heads of government agencies as members of his campaign council for the purpose of  continuing  to use them as conduit pipes for the diversion of public funds to finance his 2019 campaign.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the opposition party was also aware of the protests by some eminent Nigerians, including foremost businessmen, who were named as members of the APC Campaign Council without their consent.

    The action, PDP said, was a desperate bid to showcase the false impression that the businessmen were supporting Mr. President’s re-election bid.

    Read Also: 2019: PDP not an option, says Oshiomhole

    His words: “The N478 million NDDC fund which was originally budgeted for development projects in the Niger Delta was diverted to renting and transportation of crowd from other parts of the country to the rally to create an impression of popularity for President Buhari in the region.

    “Further information at our party’s disposal, shows that the said N478 million is part of the wholesome sum of N1.2 billion allegedly siphoned in tranches from the NDDC treasury by the cabal at the Buhari Presidency and APC leaders, who have been stealing money from various government agencies to finance President Buhari’s campaign.

    “Our party also has it on good authority that this ignoble scheme of siphoning NDDC development fund to finance his campaign was the main reason President Buhari foisted an unpopular leadership at the management of the NDDC despite the protests by critical stakeholders in all the states of the Niger Delta.

    “Furthermore, the PPCO is aware of the dissention by some APC leaders over President Buhari’s unilateral listing of individuals into his campaign council as announced by his media aide, without recourse to the selection process of the APC leadership.”

  • ‘APC’ll win Akwa-Ibom in 2019’

    Mr Ini Okopido, the Akwa Ibom Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assured that the state would be the first opposition state to be captured by the APC in the 2019 elections.

    Okopido gave the assurance in his welcome address on Friday at the flag-off of the APC South-South Presidential Campaign held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    He said with the support the party was receiving from Akwa Ibom the party would win the state come 2019.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s flag-bearer for the Presidential poll, who also addressed participants at the campaign flag-off, for the appointments he gave to the sons and daughters of the state in his Government.

    “We want to assure you that Akwa Ibom loves you. Akwa Ibom people appreciate you for all the appointments you have given our sons and daughters.

    “We assure you that Akwa Ibom people will vote for you and vote to deliver all APC candidates in 2019.

    “Akwa Ibom will be the first state to be captured by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections,” Okopido said.

    According to him, this shows the confidence President Buhari has in the state and its people.

    The Presidential campaign launch was a carnival of such, that the Godswill Akpabio international stadium was filled to the brim.

    The party’s four candidates that will fly its governorship flag in four South-South states in 2019 were unveiled at the occasion by Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of APC.

    Mr Nsima Ekere, Akwa Ibom; Sen. John Enoh, Cross River, Mr Great Ogboru, Delta; and Tonye Cole, Rivers; received the party’s flag at the occasion.

    NAN

  • Buhari, Osoba, Ogun APC Gov candidate meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Also at the meeting was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Osoba said that one of the purpose of his visit to the Villa was to present the APC candidate to the President.

    He said “First of all I want to wish the President a successful election and 2019 will be a defining year by the grace of God for the president who has always won all the elections which the former Ambassador said sometimes ago.

    “Secondly, we have come to present our candidate in Ogun state; the candidate of the president; the candidate of APC and the president has raised his hand and told the world that his candidate in Ogun state is Prince Dapo Abiodun and that he has no other candidate, his party in Ogun state is APC, he has no other party in Nigeria other than APC.

    “He has assured us that he will personally come to Ogun state to formally present Prince Dapo Abiodun as his candidate and he assured us that  is clearing the air of any ambiguity whatsoever of any name dropping, any blackmail, any misinformation that anybody may be peddling, that all elections throughout Nigeria, not just in Ogun state people must vote for APC and no other party.

    “That is the message that the president gave to us this morning and I also seized the opportunity to present my autobiography which I am going to launch when the president gives me a date because in this book, I reminded him of the letter wrote to me on June 12, 1984 when he appointed me as the Managing Director of the Daily Times, he laughed and he was happy to see the memory and that he always know me to be a man with an elephantine brain.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’s campaign will be successful in Akwa Ibom’

    “So I presented the book to him and in the book I showed the judgment in 2003 when he won the election in Ogun state even when he was not the president.

    “So we assured him that if he can defeat an incumbent president in 2003 in Ogun state, a judgment was given where they said the election in Ogun state was fraudulent and was nullified by the tribunal.

    “So I said if he can win in 2003 and defeat an incumbent president, he will win in 2019 by the grace of God.” he said

    On his part, Dapo Abiodun, thanked President Buhari for clearing the air and re-affirming that he is the APC candidate for President and himself (Prince Dapo Abiodun) is his APC gubernatorial candidate for Ogun State.

    He said “Naturally, APC is his party and there is no any other candidate in Ogun state except me. I think that affirmation could not have come at a better time when there is a lot of ambiguity, when people have attempted falsehood and other kinds if misinformation.

    “So I am very elated, very reassured that the president has stood by the party and stood by me and I believe that this matter will finally be put to rest and all those that are trying yo gain by using the president’s picture on their posters, on their vehicles will finally begin to remove it because it is actually illegal for you to be putting the presidential candidate of another party on the face of the poster of another party.

    “It is an attempt to confuse a d misinforms the public. I believe that after today, that will be put to rest a d everybody will know that in Ogun state, the only party to vote for is APC from the presidential election, to gubernatorial, to senatorial to House of Reps and the House of Assembly.” he said