In a whirlwind of congratulatory messages and election results, the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be having a victory dance as Hope Uzodimma and Usman Ododo secure wins in the recent governorship elections.
Uzodimma’s landslide victory over Samuel Anyanwu and a slew of other candidates in Imo State, along with Ododo’s win in Kogi, has the APC leaders like Godswill Akpabio and Abdullahi Ganduje all smiles. They’re hailing the triumph of “good governance” over propaganda, even amidst a contest peppered with irregularities that, well, seems to stick like glue in Nigerian politics.
Akpabio’s praise for Uzodimma’s “resilience” and Ganduje’s happiness over the “overwhelming support” in Kogi could be seen as the usual political banter. But behind the accolades, there’s a clear message: APC’s stronghold in the South-east is strengthened, and they’re not shy to flaunt it.
While they shower praises on INEC’s integrity and the electorate’s choice, there’s a subtle undercurrent that seems to imply ‘win at all costs’ – even if the results end up in the courtroom but remain unchanged.
Ganduje’s assurance of continuity in “peace and sustainable growth” in both states suggests a promise to keep the wheels of development turning. And of course, in a final diplomatic nudge, he urges the opposition to graciously accept their defeat.
So, amidst the cheers, handshakes, and compliments, the APC revels in its victory while subtly nudging that their brand of governance will persist—ready or not.
