•Says ex-military officers disciplined enough to make good politicians
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has stated that retired military officers are disciplined enough to make good politicians in the country.
Ganduje spoke when he officially received Col. Gbenga Adegbola (retd) into the party at a brief ceremony at the national secretariat to the party in Abuja
He revealed that the blueprint of the party is to take over all the states in the South West geopolitical zone, starting with the Osun State governorship election next year and Oyo State in 2027.
Expressing confidence that the coming of military officers will bring discipline into the APC, the party’s boss said: “This is a happy moment. This is historic as far as Oyo State politics is concerned. I am happy that the retired Colonel knows the rules and regulations of the party.
“You are behaving as if you have been in the party for years. He first went to his unit, then the ward and local government to register, before he went to the State. This explains why the leaders of the State are here with him at the national secretariat.
“I am not surprised, because a retired military officer is always a disciplined man. He will bring more discipline to our party. We thank you for coming to APC and we assure you that you are now a full member of our party.
“By this declaration, you have the privilege, opportunities and the chance to contest for any position in the party. If you decide to contest an election, an enabling environment is guaranteed. You are free to contest for any office you so wish,” Ganduje noted during the event.
Speaking further, the former Kano State governor said: “Our blueprint for the South West geopolitical zone for 2027 is tagged ‘political homogeneity.’ In other words, according to our blueprint, we will work hard and with the help of Allah (SWT) and the people of the State, Oyo will be an APC State in 2027.
“Other state in the zone that is off the hook – Osun State, in sha Allah, will also be an APC State. That is what we mean by political homogeneity.
“By your coming to our party, you are increasing the strength of our party, especially with young people that are joining our party with you and we assure you as a full member of our party, that we will give you every opportunity. You have the same status with all the older members of the party,” he assured.
Adegbola, who addressed newsmen shortly after his formal reception promised to win Oyo State for the APC.
“We will do everything possible to make sure that we make Oyo State by 2027 an APC state.
“We will do everything humanly possible, by the special grace of God, to win all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State. We have been able to get assurance through the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje.
“He has given us his words and encouragement. That is why we thank the Almighty for bringing us this far. Subsequently, you will be hearing from us. I want to thank the Oyo State excos that followed me down and some senior military officers,” he said.
