By Yusuf Oketola
The 2024 local government elections in Ogun State have come and gone. But there are lots of assignments for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to be done ahead of the 2027 general elections if it wishes to retain power of course, which ruling party will not wish to retain power?).
There is no doubt that the November 16 LG elections showed the dire situation the party is in the state. But thank God for loyal party men and women who stood firmly for the party’s victory across all the 20 local government areas.
If not for the hard work of the members at the grassroots, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could have defeated the APC in some LGAs.
The ruling APC grossly underrated PDP, but the opposition had painstakingly did some underground works before coming into the LG polls and almost won in some LGAs.
However, there were reports of harassment and intimidations by the PDP in some wards, a strategy they have allegedly deployed to win the poll. But thank God for security agencies.
However, the results of the election calls for sober reflection and moment of home truths among APC members. The mere fact that PDP could have won in some LGAs depicted that APC is losing its popularity among the people at the grassroots.
In view of this, the party needs to deploy all mechanisms to restore the waning glory of the party. If the party truly belongs to all party members, then all should be included in decision-making. It should not be a one man show. Members’ opinions should count.
In addendum, popular and formidable candidates should be allowed and considered for the party tickets in 2027. PDP has shown its capacity in the last election that is is capable of causing upset in the nearest future.
In conclusion, the present administration in the state should at all time listen to the yearnings of the people and bring governance close to them. The party at the national level should also execute policies that would better lives of the citizens by engaging more on social programmes.
Yusuf Oketola is a journalist and Public Relations Strategist.
