The All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential Campaign train began its journey in Kaduna State on October 24, with a spectacular crowd at the flag-off rally. Since then, the campaign has moved across several states, including Rivers State on November 7.
On Wednesday, November 11, Ondo State became the eighth state to host the presidential campaign train, with a mammoth crowd of supporters from across the state gathering at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
One notable feature of the rallies held in some of these states has been the presentation of the APC party flag to candidates contesting various elective positions.
Beyond the ceremony, this gesture carries deep political significance. It serves as a public recognition of the party’s candidates and formally introduces them to the electorate as its official flagbearers.
This was witnessed in Rivers State, where APC flags were presented to candidates of the Rainbow Coalition.
Similar presentations also took place in Ebonyi, Cross River and Ekiti States, where candidates contesting for National Assembly, governorship and State Assembly seats were presented to the people.
However, the Ondo State rally took a different dimension. The event was attended by several dignitaries and witnessed the presence of 12 APC National Assembly candidates and 26 APC candidates for the Ondo State House of Assembly, many of whom came with their supporters. The atmosphere was colourful, with different campaign attires, banners, drums and enthusiastic supporters.
Interestingly, despite the presence of these candidates, none of the 12 National Assembly candidates was presented to the crowd or handed the party’s flag, as was done in the previous states.
Another detail worth mentioning was the invitation of Hon. D. I. Kekemeke to offer the Christian opening prayer. However, he was not introduced as the APC candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District.
These developments naturally raise questions about the political direction of the party in Ondo State, particularly regarding the National Assembly contests.
More particularly: who are our candidates in the APC? Their reported absence from the inauguration of the Ondo State Presidential Campaign Council at The Dome, Akure, had already generated questions about the level of cooperation within the party.
While it may be premature to draw a definitive conclusion from the ceremony alone, one possible interpretation is that the National Assembly contests in Ondo State remain open, with no public endorsement or presentation of any candidate as the party’s preferred candidate at the rally. And this presents hope for the Rainbow Coalition in Ondo State.
For now, the absence of flag presentation has left room for speculation.
The Wednesday’s rally has not communicated a clear political direction. It has been established that the NASS contest is open to everyone.
Only President Tinubu will get one million votes, but the remaining candidates must contest on their personality and credibility in Ondo State.
Hon. Ademokun Folorunsho
APC Chieftain from Odigbo
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