The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has urged the party election planning and monitoring teams to guard against traps that opposition parties will set in the February and March elections.

Mr Tinubu made the call when he met with the teams during a train-the-trainer session, according to a statement issued by his spokesman Tunde Rahman.

“The party’s success rests on your commitment to the assignment given to you. The work you are doing is essential to our victory. We cannot win without your contributions,” stated Mr Tinubu. “Victory rests on you all as much as it rests on our party’s candidates themselves. And when I say this, I include myself in that statement. This is how important I see your work.”

He urged the election monitors to be vigilant and do their best to ensure that the party’s votes across the country were secured to bring victory for all its candidates contesting in various elections.

“I know there will be challenges, and our opponents will lay traps in hopes that you fail. You must stand firm and remain vigilant. Tens of millions of people believe in our great party. They have put their trust in us and will cast their ballots for us in each and every election at the national and state levels,” added Mr Tinubu. “We must ensure the trust of the people is not betrayed by ensuring that every vote in our favour counts, is counted and recorded. We must protect every vote.”

He noted that the party had 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 house of representatives candidates and 988 state assembly candidates.

The ex-Lagos governor added that all the candidates, including himself as the party’s presidential candidate, put their trust in the teams, stressing that the party’s leadership rely on the teams to make sure that those who oppose APC, its candidates and its progressive ways does not skew the election.

The APC presidential standard-bearer charged them to match the party’s candidates’ diligence and hard work as the elections draw close to ensure that the party’s campaigns are not in vain.

“We must firmly continue the work so bravely started. We must protect the people and their collective prosperity from (the) venality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties like it. Thus, you stand as the frontline guardians of democracy and good governance as well as of our party,” Mr Tinubu explained. “You are all crucial to this election and the work you do will determine the path our nation takes.”

He urged the teams to “be vigilant in your upcoming roles and responsibilities so that the people’s sovereign will might prevail, be alert and maintain a keen eye for detail.”

Mr Tinubu added, “Protect our votes, do not leave your duty posts: whether that be the polling units or the collation centre, be present, be on guard and beware of all unscrupulous elements.” 

(NAN)