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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

2027: Abiodun Urges APC Consensus, Offers Refund to Aspirants

From The Punch · (6m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun is urging All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants to embrace consensus and respect zoning for the 2027 elections.
  • He promised refunds for nomination forms and appointments for aspirants who step down or do not secure tickets under a consensus arrangement.
  • The governor emphasized party unity, fairness, and inclusion, warning against divisive primaries that weaken electoral chances.

In a strategic move to consolidate the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has called for a unified approach, prioritizing consensus and adherence to local government zoning arrangements. This initiative, detailed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, aims to foster internal cohesion and prevent the electoral setbacks often caused by contentious primaries.

The zoning arrangements across local governments would serve as a guiding framework to promote fairness, equity, and inclusion within the party.

— Dapo AbiodunOgun State Governor, explaining the rationale behind prioritizing zoning in candidate selection.

Governor Abiodun's proposal includes a financial incentive: a refund of nomination form fees for aspirants who do not secure party tickets or who step down in favor of a consensus candidate. Furthermore, he assured that those who align with the party's decisions would be considered for future appointments. This strategy is designed not only to retain experienced party members but also to discourage anti-party activities and reward commitment.

I am not a dictator and I have no intention of imposing candidates.

— Dapo AbiodunGovernor Abiodun assuring aspirants that decisions will be made through consultation.

Speaking at a meeting with aspirants and party leaders, Abiodun stressed that while many are qualified, only one candidate can emerge per position. He advocated for dialogue and compromise, positioning grassroots leaders as key arbiters in assessing aspirants. The governor's emphasis on fairness, equity, and inclusion through zoning reflects a broader understanding of political dynamics within Nigeria, where local considerations often shape electoral outcomes. This approach, from our perspective in Ogun State, is a pragmatic way to manage internal party politics, ensuring that the focus remains on collective victory rather than individual ambition, a lesson learned from past electoral cycles where internal divisions proved costly.

I started contesting in 1993 and only became governor in 2019. If you don’t get it today, you may get it tomorrow.

— Dapo AbiodunGovernor Abiodun sharing his personal journey to encourage patience and commitment among aspirants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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