Ganduje Reveals The State APC Will Take Over This Year

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed confidence that his party will reclaim Edo State in the upcoming September 21, 2024, Governorship Elections.

He stated, “Edo, which is coming on the 21st of September, I believe our campaign is in high spirits. We are getting ready for that election, and we believe we will be able to recover our state because it was an APC state, but due to internal wranglings, we lost it to the PDP. However, we are sure we will recover that state.”

Speaking at his office on Thursday to members of the Kano Correspondent Chapel of the NUJ, Ganduje also commented on Ondo State, noting, “It’s already an APC state, and after the former governor died with a number of problems, we were able to resolve those issues. We conducted primaries and succeeded in getting the person that they want.” He added that preparations for the November election in Ondo are underway and that winning Edo would bring the APC’s total to 21 states out of 36.

Ganduje also addressed the party’s strategy for the Southeast, explaining that both the North and Southeast geopolitical zones have claimed marginalization. He stated, “What we are telling them is that this marginalization has been self-created. How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain?” He emphasized the APC’s focus on expanding its presence in the Southeast, particularly targeting Anambra State. “We have introduced a new phenomenon which we call the political marginalization of the Southeast geopolitical zone, where we are working very hard to ensure that we get more states from that zone, and we want to start with Anambra.”

He highlighted the importance of political parties being active year-round, not just during campaigns. “When we came in, we said we must change the narrative. Our political party—APC, as an institution—wants to be active throughout the year. That is why we directed our offices, chapters at the ward level, to ensure that all our offices are renovated, become habitable, and also become operational.” Ganduje stressed the need for internal democracy within the party to reduce tension and factions, and to maintain strong connections between party officials and those in office at all levels.