‘APC’s trademark of rigging’ — PDP tackles Ganduje over threat to ‘take over’ Osun, Oyo

The south-west chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says President Bola Tinubu should caution Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over comments that the ruling party will take over Osun and Oyo states.

Ganduje, while speaking in Akure, Ondo capital, after the victory of Lucky Aiyedatiwa in last Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election, boasted that Osun and Oyo were the next targets of APC.

“Our next target in the Southwest geopolitical zone is Osun and Oyo states. You know we are good at hitting our targets,” the APC chairman had said.

“We will do whatever is necessary to bring them into the fold so that we can gain more political opportunity in the south-west.”

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Sanya Atofarati, the PDP zonal publicity secretary, said Ganduje “lacks the moral authority to speak on matters of credibility or democracy”.

“The PDP urges President Bola Tinubu to rein in the unwarranted threats made by APC national chairman Ganduje to manipulate the electoral process in Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, using the APC’s trademark of rigging,” the statement reads.

“We affirm, without equivocation, that Ganduje lacks the moral authority to speak on matters of credibility or democracy.

The party also expressed disappointment in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what it described as the poor conduct of the Ondo governorship election.

The PDP cited the alleged defects in the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and delays in the arrival of election materials in its strongholds.

It also urged the inspector-general of police (IGP) to investigate claims of misconduct by security personnel during the Ondo election and to ensure the prosecution of those found culpable of malpractice.

“We call on the inspector general of police to uphold the integrity of his office by investigating these allegations and ensuring that those responsible face justice,” the publicity secretary said.

“As a party established by law, we will continue to work with our legal team while pursuing justice through the appropriate channels.

“We also urge our members to remain peaceful and committed to democratic principles.”