The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has affirmed its readiness to participate in the forthcoming local government elections,on Saturday, 18th January,2025 across the state emphasizing its commitment to democratic principles.
Addressing journalists on the issue at the new party secretariat in Akure on Monday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, stressed the importance of the election to the development of the state and need for people to choose their leaders at the grassroots where he said an end has come to caretaker committee at the helms of affairs in the local government.
Kalejaye said APC has taken all necessary steps to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).
According to him ” We have sufficiently done what we need to do at the ODIEC and can confidently say that we have satisfied all the conditions.
“We have met with various stakeholders to educate, brief, and inform them about the necessity of the election. Structures have been put in place at the local government and ward levels to facilitate the process,” Kalejaye added.
To ensure a smooth and coordinated approach, the APC spokesperson disclosed that the party has established committees at different levels to handle mobilization, sensitization, campaigns, and reconciliation of aggrieved members.
“To ensure coordination, a state-level committee chaired by our State Organizing Secretary, Sir Charles Fagbohunka, has also been constituted,” Kalejaye revealed.
Acknowledging the inevitability of grievances arising from the primary contests, he added that the party constituted a reconciliation committee to address issues that arose from primary election process, chaired by the State Deputy Chairman, Hon. Agabra Attili.
“The committee will listen to grievances and appeal to aggrieved members so that we can go into the election as a united family.” He Said.
According to Kalejaye, efforts are in top gear at the grassroots level to mobilize support for the APC. He disclosed that directives have been issued for committees at the local government and ward levels to intensify mobilization by engaging markets, churches, organizations, and institutions.
The APC Publicity Secretary also emphasized the party’s adherence to the electoral timetable. “Our campaigns are ongoing and will conclude on Thursday this week, in line with the Electoral Act. We have directed our members to hold grand finale rallies in each of the 18 local government areas on Thursday,” he stated.
Highlighting the party’s level of preparedness to repeat the victory recorded at the governorship poll, Kalejaye said, “This is to say that we are fully prepared for the local government election. All necessary measures have been put in place to ensure success at the polls.”
He ruled out reliance on vote buying for the party’s victory, affirming that the party’s performances in the state would earn APC landslide victory.
In attendance were the party’s Deputy chairman, Hon. Agabra Attili, the organising secretary, Sir Charles Fagbohunka, the director of Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro, Mr Collins Olagundoye, amongst other party executives.
