By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ado Ekiti
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state, has expressed its determination to use every legal and constitutional strategies to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the coming governorship election in the state.
The party said it could not afford to wait for another four years in the fringe, allowing the Governor Ayodele Fayose the freewill to continue to dominate the state’s political space.
The State Acting Chairman of the party, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, said this in Ado Ekiti during a visit of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, led by its Chairman, Sam Nwaoko to the APC’s State Working Committee members.
Olaleye said the party will put its house in order and connect with all the critical stakeholders like the artisans, teachers, market men and women and political and opinion leaders to make the dream a reality.
“We are determined to win the coming election. We will use every legal and constitutional means, adopt the right strategy to win the July 14 governorship election. We can’t wait in the fringe for another four years. One year is too long a year to be wasted in the life of a politician, let alone another four years.
“We know that the coming year, I mean 2018 will be challenging for the SWC, because our governorship aspirants will play and do their own things, the State government too but we shall overcome.
“The essence of being elected is to manage our party, make it strong to be able to win election and that we are doing and by the grace of God we shall emerge victorious in the next election”, she said.
Olaleye , who praised the Correspondents for being apolitical and fair in their reportage, advised media practitioners to always allow the opposition to its say about how the people are being governed.
“APC is not a party that can muzzle opposition. You were in this State when our party was in the saddle, we never did anything that can put you in a dangerous situation, so we are assuring you that our party will continue to accord you respect.
“But don’t allow our reactions to stop you from doing what is right and just if that will bring the needed changes to our society”, she said.
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel advised the party to be receptive to criticisms from the media, saying ; “this remains the only way the country can get it right in all facets”. PDP chair: George warns on abuse of party constitution
A chairmanship aspirant in the December 9 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that any act of impunity and foul play can further engender crisis in the party.
Chief George, a former National Vice Chairman of the party, said the party leadership must do everything possible to sustain the unity and stability of the party which is just recovering from crisis.
According to him, the party cannot afford a repeat of the gross misconduct that led to its defeat in the 2015 general elections, adding that the only way the party can uphold sanity and sustain confidence is to respect its constitution.
“We have to be extremely careful in managing the Dec. 9 convention, we can no longer afford another crisis. Impunity and lack of respect for party constitution must not be allowed’’, he cautioned.
Speaking while submitting his nomination forms at the party national secretariat, he said the party could not afford to entrust its leadership in the hands of novices or someone that had not been part of its management team.
The aspirant likened the party to a ship at sea hit with bad weather saying it needed a competent and experienced captain to safely sail it ashore, stressing that if the PDP sank, it could spell doom for the country’ democracy.
Chief George said he was fit, experienced and was presenting himself for the service of the party and the country, noting that the party does not need fledglings to pilot its leadership especially now that efforts are being geared towards 2019 general elections.
