Sergius Ogun, a former member of the house of representatives and candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the August 16 Edo south senatorial by-election, says the two dominant parties will perform poorly at the polls.
Speaking on News Central on Thursday, Ogun said residents of Edo are tired of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the PDP’s candidate is in court over the outcome of the party’s primary election, while the APC’s flagbearer is benefitting from past political circumstances rather than strong grassroots support.
Ogun recalled how Monday Okpebholo, now governor of Edo and formerly the senator for Edo south, won in the last election.
Advertisement
He said the APC had no real chance at the time, but PDP members worked against their party’s interest.
“It’s not because APC is on the ground in the senatorial district,” he said.
“The PDP did anti-party and voted for the then senator (Okpebholo). That’s how he became a senator.”
Advertisement
The ADC candidate said the frustration with both parties has opened the door for a viable third force in the state.
“ADC might be relatively new, but because we are tired of these two political parties, they are willing to give ADC a chance,” Ogun said.
“The feedback from the grassroots is overwhelming. People are saying, ‘look, we have been waiting for this.’ We don’t have enough membership cards to cover as many people that want to join the party.”
Ogun expressed optimism that if the by-election is free, fair, and credible, neither PDP nor APC will secure up to 25 percent of the votes.
Advertisement
