By MARTHA AGAS

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) says it is working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and adopting its structures to secure victory for APM’s presidential candidate, Mr Seyi Makinde, in the 2027 elections.

Mr Felix Hyat, Director-General (DG) of the APM National Campaign Council (NCC), made this known on Thursday at a meeting with 190 candidates seeking various elective positions across the five South-Eastern states.

A statement by Mr Yamput Thompson, the DG’s Special Assistant on Media, quoted Hyat as reaffirming his commitment to mobilising votes for Makinde’s victory, particularly to address Nigeria’s high levels of poverty, hunger and insecurity.

He said the meeting was convened to discuss strategies for the forthcoming general elections and develop a roadmap for securing victory in all elective positions in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states and in Nigeria.

He expressed concern that the failure of some party agents to perform their duties effectively often resulted in disappointing electoral outcomes at polling units.

“As stakeholders, we must change the tide, protect all our votes and make sure they count.

“We have to work hard to get the votes and after that, we have to protect our votes. Let us watch out and make sure that we get Nigeria out of the mess it is presently in,” he said.

Hyat criticised the borrowing approach of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, saying it had contributed to Nigeria’s economic challenges, including poverty and corruption.

Speaking at the event, APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde said that the party would soon unveil its manifesto for Nigerians to see the blueprint designed to deliver the country from total collapse.

Makinde said the meeting with the party’s 190 candidates in the five Eastern states was to listen to their challenges and map out strategies on wining the elections at all levels across the country in the 2027 general elections.

“We are here to interact with you, our candidates across the five states in the East, and I am sure after this meeting we shall be on the same page to face the general election with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

Also speaking, APM National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman said the party and its presidential candidate had the backing of patriotic Nigerians seeking the transformation of the country.

Mamman commended the party chairmen in the five South-Eastern states for their commitment to sustaining and strengthening the party’s structures in the region.

Earlier, APM’s Abia governorship candidate, Dr Ikechukwu Charles, declared that the people of the South-East were prepared to rally behind the party in its bid to rescue Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity and other national challenges.

“That is why we like the party’s slogan – ‘Nigeria first’ ‘Reset Nigeria.’ We are ready to come out en masse to vote and equally stand firm to defend our votes at the polling units,” he said. (NAN)