Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has boasted that the governing party is determined to capture the South-West geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr Ganduje, who declared this during a stakeholders meeting held in Akure on Sunday, said the party would start the politicking by ensuring it retains political power in Ondo during the upcoming November 16 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

Leading the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to the meeting held at the DOME event centre in Akure, Mr Ganduje said the APC would capture both Oyo and Osun from the hands of the opposition parties in the two states.

According to him, the APC is already working hard to spread its tentacles across the 36 states of the country to ensure President Bola Tinubu gains more support from the people.

“In this geopolitical zone (South-West), we must deliver 100 per cent in favour of APC. Therefore, Ondo State, you must be at the forefront, along with the two other states (Oyo and Osun).

“We will capture them, but I will not reveal our secret; I will assure you that we are strategizing. Everything must be 100 per cent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

While explaining that the party would not reveal its strategy to ensure it gains full control, Mr Ganduje said the upcoming Ondo governorship poll is already a walkover for the APC.

He also revealed that both the leaders and members of the party have thrown their support behind incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is also the party’s candidate in the election.

The APC national chairman, however, pleaded with the party’s aspirants who contested the governorship ticket with Mr Aiyedatiwa but lost, to sheath their swords and rally behind the governor to ensure victory.

“In this coming election, we are solidly behind Governor Aiyedatiwa. We have made arrangements at the national level to have a successful election and announce Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the chairman of the National Campaign Council.

“This election is a task that must be done. We are encouraged by this large crowd of stakeholders. It shows there is unity, solidarity, and vigour in the party. We are expecting 90 per cent of the votes in the forthcoming governorship election.

“Let me remind those who contested the primary election with Aiyedatiwa that they are not losers because there is no victor and no vanquished in the exercise. You all have to visit house to house and neighbour to neighbour, ensuring that you go around and mobilise people to come out to vote,” he said.

Also speaking, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor and chairman of the South-West Governors Forum (SGF), said the party becomes stronger when the people come together in unity.

He stated that the party could not afford to lose Ondo to the opposition parties, arguing that all warring factions must set aside their differences and support Governor Aiyedatiwa in the election.

“The entire party formation has come to Ondo to appreciate you. You may have gone through turbulent times and feel aggrieved, but it is more important that we come together again as one.

“Nobody should be left behind because all of you are important to the delivery of our victory in the coming election. This gathering is to embrace all of us and for all of us to agree. This message of unity must go around the 18 LGAs of the state. Mr. President is fully aware of what we are doing here, and he has given his consent to this.

“When we come together, we are even bigger than whatever force wants to come against us. We need everybody in that train, irrespective of our differences. It is the reason why we need to work together as one.”

In his words, Ekiti Governor Abiodun Oyebanji said the Ondo state off-cycle election will be a defining moment for the South-West region, appealing to the people to ensure they work together in delivering victory for the APC.

He told the gathering that they must ensure the achievements of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu are not reversed by ensuring the party retains the gubernatorial seat in the state.

Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the stakeholders meeting was crucial and came at a time when President Tinubu needs more dominance from the Southwest.

Responding, some of the governorship aspirants who took part in the April 25 primary of the APC, Olusola Oke, Wale Akinterinwa, and Oladunni Odu, said they had already put the past behind them, stating that victory is certain for the APC in the election.

They, however, promised to mobilise support for Mr Aiyedatiwa in their various local government areas, assuring that they will secure 90 per cent of the votes.

In his remarks, Mr Aiyedatiwa appreciated the party leaders for their support, stressing that the government of the APC, under his leadership, would continue to encourage unity among party members.