PEARSE: "AN OPEN LETTER TO ALHAJI GANDUJE , NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS,APC !"

Dear Alhaji Ganduje! In Edo State, on 21st September 2024 at the State's Governorship Election, you demonstrated a disgraceful disregard for Electoral Integrity when you celebrated your party's concocted victory in the face of an obvious heist. According to all the observers at that election, the polling unit results which had the PDP candidate ahead were altered at the coalition center by INEC officials in favor of the APC candidate. At the time you promised Nigerians that from then on you would apply the criminal manipulation as " a template" for future elections.

About two months later, on 16th November, you were at it again. You were quick to applaud another election malpractice which gave your party a dubious victory. The Ondo election was marred by vote buying, vote suppression and violence. Yet you were quick to commend the illegitimate process as exemplary. You promised your political family members to help them " capture" all forthcoming elections in the whole of the South West Geopolitical Zone, and indeed throughout the country as you have "captured" Ondo State.

 Your only interest was to " capture" as if you were at war with an external enemy. It did not concern you that your brutish attitude to politics has eroded the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process. In the Presidential election of 2023, less than 28% of registered voters actually voted. The figure dropped to 22.4% in the Edo State Governorship race and was as low as 26% in the recent election for governor of Ondo State.

My purpose for this letter is twofold. One is to expose your election manipulation antics which have been taken to criminal extremes. This is an appeal to Nigerians and the Nigerian Youth population, in particular, to reject your reckless political style as a model. 

Let me put it to you, sir, You are an Elder Statesman only by virtue of age, not by the content of character. In reality, you are the type of political leader who pollutes the moral fiber of society. Let those who are misled into looking up to you for leadership be reminded of the Economic and Financial Crimes you committed when governor of Kano State. The case against you for crimes committed between September 2020 and March 2021, as published in The Cable of 4th April 2024 reads in part " KANO FILES 8-8 COUNT CHARGE AGAINST GANDUJE FOR RECEIVING $200K FROM CONTRACTOR---A CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST, PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 312 OF THE PENAL CODE ( AS AMENDED) CAP, Vol 2."

The other purpose of this letter is to warn you that the Ondo State election will be the last election you will succeed in rigging. Henceforth, the PDP as the nation's leading opposition party will galvanize the support of all lovers of democracy in a formidable resistance against election manipulation.

The rule of law must prevail and the votes of the Nigerian electorate must count from now on, and certainly in the General Elections to come in 2027. Whether you like it or not, we the people, in exercising our democratic rights will bring an end to your Party's apocalyptic administration, and its wanton disregard for the principles of Democracy

Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, PhD. Public Affairs Analyst, Convener Reset Lagos PDP, Member PDP National Presidential Campaign Council (2023).

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