By EMMANUEL MOGBEDE

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yiltwada, says winning the Aug. 15 Osun governorship election is a must for the party.

Yilwatda stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating the 291-member Osun Governorship Election National Campaign Council, headed by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo.

He said that the election, being the last off-season election ahead of 2027, would be a litmus test for APC, as it would measure its level of preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

“This will be our practice ground; it will be our rehearsal for the political machine we are preparing for 2027 elections.

“That is why winning the Osun election is a must for the APC. The party will mobilise resources, coordinate our people and move into Osun in large numbers after this inauguration,” he said.

He stated that members of the council, including governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, deputy governors, past and present National Assembly members and business stakeholders, were carefully selected from all walks of life,

Yilwatda said they were selected to ensure mobilisation of human and material resources, and also ensure that the election was properly coordinated for the party to win.

“These are political heavyweights; it is like a trailer facing a keke. I do not know how the political party standing against us in Osun can withstand the strength of these people who are going there to mobilise and win the election,” he said.

Yilwatda described APC as the only political party in Nigeria with abundant human resources and the most experienced politicians.

“No political party can boast of the number of governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, former governors and former National Assembly members that we have.

“We have them in abundance; we even have a number of former PDP leaders who are now here as well as former members of different political parties, including the Labour Party and others.

“They have all come to add to the wealth of experience and the rich resources we have in this party,” the APC national chairman said.

He said with the calibre of the council’s members, nothing would stop APC from taking over Osun Government House on Aug. 15.

“With this assurance and confidence, I stand here proud and privileged to head a party that has the machinery, the will and the capacity to win elections at all levels,” he said.

In his remarks, chairman of the council expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership for the confidence reposed in his members, saying the inauguration was another call to service, one that its members were happy, ready and willing to undertake.

Uzodimma assured that the council would return Osun to the progressive fold and secure a decisive, peaceful and credible victory for APC.

“The work begins now; the standard is excellence, the method is peace, the destination is victory,” he said.

The Imo governor explained that public responsibility was not a declaration but a covenant demanding sacrifice, discipline and measurable results.

“We accept this responsibility with humility and an unshakable resolve to justify that confidence.

“We therefore accept this assignment as a solemn obligation to our great party, to our democracy and to the good people of Osun,” he said.

Uzodimma said every APC member and every progressive stakeholder had a vital role to play, adding that there should be no spectator in a mission of this importance.

He added that the unity of members of the council must be their first campaign message, stressing that “a united party is the strongest foundation for victory. (NAN)

•APC National Chairman (Second from left), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and other party chieftains at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Tuesday. Credit: APC

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