In an interview with ADEBAYO FOLORUNSHO-FRANCIS, Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Media and Publicity for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, expressed confidence that the loss of Lagos and unexpected results in some northern states will not hinder Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from becoming Nigeria’s next president. Onanuga assessed the presidential election and the ongoing collation of results, stating that reports from the field have been generally positive. In his voting area in Ogun State, there were no incidents of violence, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively.
Regarding the situation in Lagos, Onanuga acknowledged some confusion due to the creation of new polling units, which left many voters uncertain about their designated locations. He noted an incident in Eti Osa where supporters of the Labour Party (LP) detained INEC officials, requiring military intervention for their release. While he recognized reports of violence in certain areas, he emphasized that the overall atmosphere was much more peaceful. He admitted that the results in Lagos included an upset, attributing it to demographic shifts that favored Mr. Obi, but he remained optimistic about improving in future elections.
On the topic of Obi’s success in areas traditionally dominated by the APC, Onanuga explained that demographic changes are common in elections, as younger populations move into different regions, influencing voting patterns. He pointed out that while many supporters of Obi in Lagos are from the South-East, there are also Yoruba voters who support him. He reiterated that in a democratic process, individuals are free to make their choices, and the election reflects a broader national sentiment.
When asked about the impact of youth voters, Onanuga argued that while young people are important, they do not solely determine election outcomes. He noted that youth belong to various political parties, and each party has its own youth wing, which complicates the narrative of a youth-driven victory. As the collation of results continues, he expressed optimism about the APC’s performance, highlighting that even in states where they are not winning, they are still garnering significant votes.
On the results from Katsina, where Atiku won by a narrow margin, Onanuga acknowledged that they had anticipated a close race. He emphasized that while the APC had expected to perform poorly in Katsina, the results were surprisingly favorable. He maintained that their strategy in states like Adamawa was to secure a percentage of the vote, and they were pleased with their performance overall.
Onanuga dismissed the idea of a run-off election, asserting that the APC is confident in securing victory on the first ballot. He explained that they are aware of areas where they may lose, such as Lagos, but are focused on their overall performance across the country. He expressed belief in INEC’s ability to conduct the 2023 general election effectively, acknowledging that while the commission is not perfect, the introduction of BVAS has significantly improved the electoral process.
Finally, when discussing the loss of APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu in his senatorial zone in Nasarawa, Onanuga attributed it to various factors but chose not to elaborate further at this time.
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