The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) are pulling all the strings for what they perceive as an immense test of popularity in next week’s bye-elections in 12 states of the federation.
At stake are two senatorial seats, five House of Representatives slots and nine House of Assembly positions.
The polls are to be conducted for 6,987 polling units, 32 local government areas and 356 wards with 3,553,659 registered voters eligible to exercise their rights on the day.
National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, told The Nation yesterday that his party was set and prepared for the by-elections
‘We are prepared for the bye-elections in all the 16 constituencies. The same commitment we give to the general election is what we give any off-season election. August 16 election is no exception’, Bashiru said by phone.
He added: ‘We have started campaign in all the affected constituencies in Anambra, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Niger and other states.
‘With the level of our preparation, we are optimistic of victory. We are optimistic that we shall be victorious in almost all the constituencies come Saturday, 16 August’.
The PDP is also set for the polls with its candidates intensifying campaigns in the affected states.
In response to a Whatsapp message asking about the party’s preparations, Chairman of PDP Caretaker Committee for the South-South, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, sent a cryptic statement, with some affirmation of religious hope.
He said: ‘Trust God, no matter what’!, quoting Psalm 46:1 that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’.
The Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, had earlier said that the chapter has assembled a strong team of party leaders to drive its campaign.
‘The Edo PDP is confident that this team, under the capable leadership of Senator Clifford Ordia, will drive a robust, issue-based campaign that resonates with the aspirations of the people of Edo Central’, Osa Nehikhare stated.
Other national officers of the party contacted declined to talk.
The ADC is also presenting candidates for the elections.
The party’s immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said in his last statement as chairman that the ADC was keen on increasing its representation in the national and state assemblies through the bye-elections.
