Ondo APC elders urge party to pick electable candidates

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have called on the party's national leadership to prioritize electability when finalizing candidates for the 2027 general elections. The appeal comes as contestants await the official list following recent primaries for the National Assembly and state assembly.

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Every party wants to win. You don’t want to select somebody who cannot win an election for you.

Demola Ijabiyi, Convener of the Ondo APC Elders Forum, emphasized that the party must select candidates with a proven capacity to win elections. "Every party wants to win. You don’t want to select somebody who cannot win an election for you," Ijabiyi stated during a medical outreach event sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

He acknowledged that some aspirants might secure nominations through financial influence or other means, but stressed that their general election prospects must be the primary consideration. "The purpose of political parties is to sponsor people for elections so that they can win," he added. The forum trusts President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to make decisions that will enhance the party's electoral success.

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The purpose of political parties is to sponsor people for elections so that they can win.

Beyond candidate selection, the forum also raised concerns about low voter turnout, identifying it as a significant challenge to Nigeria's electoral process. The APC chieftain expressed optimism about securing over one million votes for Tinubu in Ondo State during the next presidential election, contingent on increased voter participation.

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So, I expect our leaders, the resources are with them now, they should look at them, that’s why I advise the elders, what about they come out with, to make sure to enhance the winnability of our party, which we accept.