By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following remarks made by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje on plans to dominate the South-West geopolitical zone.
The PDP emphasised that the South-West cannot be “bought or captured,” urging the ruling party to temper its expectations after recent victories.
Speaking on Monday at a media briefing held at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, labelled Ganduje’s statements as “reckless and irresponsible.”
The comments from the APC Chairman were made on Sunday in Akure, Ondo State, during a high-profile meeting that included the APC National Working Committee and several prominent state governors, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.
The meeting in Akure comes just weeks ahead of the crucial November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, where political tensions are expected to peak. Currently, the APC holds control over four of the six states in the South-West—Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, and Ogun—while the PDP maintains power in Oyo and Osun states.
Ologunagba did not mince words when reacting to Ganduje’s pledge to secure control of the remaining South-West states. He described the comments as indicative of the APC’s ambition to push Nigeria towards a one-party state, a scenario he deems dangerous for the country’s democracy.
“This is a warning,” Ologunagba declared. “The people of the South-West are well-educated politically, and their democratic history speaks for itself. For anyone, particularly Ganduje, to speak about capturing this region is not only reckless but a threat to our democracy. Such remarks should raise concerns among Nigerians and even the international community.”
Ologunagba also cautioned that Ganduje’s words could lead to his being declared “persona non grata” in the region. He accused the APC of attempting to undermine democratic principles in Ondo State and stressed that the November 16 election would not be influenced by intimidation or threats.
“The people of Ondo State are prepared for this election,” he said. “They will stand by their convictions and vote for the PDP. The APC needs to understand that we take these threats seriously; the South-West has never been, and will never be, a captive region. We are not prisoners
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