2023: APC says Ayu’s claims on winning Lagos, 24 others ‘reckless and unrealistic’

Ruling party in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the report credited to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, who had, Wednesday, claimed that the opposition will win the state, in addition to 24 others in the 2023 General Election.

Describing the PDP National Chairman’s claims as ‘reckless and unrealistic,’ Lagos Chapter of the APC said in a press statement, issued, Thursday, by Seye Oladejo, its spokesman, that ‘the PDP, at whatever level, does not pose a threat to the ruling party’s retention of power in Lagos state, or at the federal level.’

APC added further that ‘Nigeria will most definitely not return to the years of the locust.’

“Our attention has been drawn to the reckless and unrealistic claim of the opposition PDP to win Lagos and 24 other states in the forthcoming elections.

“While we acknowledge the consistency of the opposition party in its permanent day-dreaming and irresponsible permutations; it’s advisable to be more discerning in order to be able to absorb the shock of their impending devastating defeat. It’s also laughable that it came from its National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who has been declared personal non-grata in his home state.”

“Nigerians stopped taking PDP seriously before now with its intransigent crisis, which is a clear reflection of poor leadership and ability to manage its affairs.

“How can a party that has been in a free fall since its presidential primaries and even mismanaged funds to build its national headquarters lay any claim to integrity, hope and vision?

“I’m not aware that the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has been able to clear the corruption allegations against him,” the APC statement read.

Continuing, the ruling party in the state boasted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would instead leverage on the forthcoming poll to consolidate on the landmark achievements of the first term in the next tenure.

“It’s certainly not enough to dream of winning a certain number of states. The reality on the ground is in total contrast.

“Lagos state remains an impenetrable fortress for PDP with its more than two decades of electoral abysmal performance.

“The incumbent governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has earned his place of pride and preference by well-meaning Lagosians.

“In any electoral process, talk is cheap but the real language of communication is the PVC. The PDP has no reason to be hopeful,” Oladejo said.

It would be recalled that National Chairman of PDP, Ayu, had predicted that the country’s major opposition party will make history by displacing the ruling APC from in Lagos, come 2023.

Ayu who made the prediction in Abuja at the PDP National Headquarters while receiving the second leg report of the Special Reconciliation Committee, Lagos/Osun PDP, headed by Chief Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, acknowledged that although PDP’s political outlook in Lagos has been dismal before now, the excellent work of the Jegede-led committee has brightened the electoral fortunes of the party and placed it on the path of certain victory.

He reiterated his position that the PDP will sweep the forthcoming polls by winning the presidency and clearing at least 25 governorships, including Lagos state.

“Lagos was in very bad shape before now. But because of your excellent reconciliation work, our chances of taking Lagos state have been greatly enhanced.

“We are now sure of victory. We will take Alausa, and clear the state and National Assembly seats.

“We won in Osun state. And we will repeat the feat in Lagos.

“I am reiterating my often-stated position that the PDP will win the presidency and at least 25 governorships across the country.

“And those 25 states include Lagos state.

“This is why we want all party members to work together.

“We defeated my good friend, the Lion of Bourdilon, H.E. Bola Tinubu, in his home-state of Osun.

“We now want to crown it in Lagos, his state of residence.

“He is already shouting it: ‘God bless PDP!’

“By early next year, we will start celebrating our new 25 governors-elect, Lagos inclusive,” said Ayu.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, thanked the party for giving him and other members the privilege to serve the party as peace ambassadors.

“The second leg of our report, which we present to you today, is a product of extensive consultations with party stalwarts, stakeholders, party elders and candidates.

“I am happy to say we got the cooperation and input of all of them.

“When we submitted the first leg of our report, I said Osun state was winnable and doable.

“I use this opportunity to congratulate the National Working Committee (NWC) and the people of Osun state for the well-deserved victory in the Osun Guber-election.

“And thanks to our modest efforts, Lagos looks good too.

“Lagos PDP is more cohesive today than when we took reconciliation there. And, by God’s grace, PDP will sweep Lagos in February next year.

“Lagos has never had a PDP governor, but we will change it, come 2023,” said Jegede.