A former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, has stated that no governor can assure victory for the All Progressives Congress in northern Nigeria, despite the recent wave of defections into the ruling party.
Speaking in an interview with TRUST TV, Ardo said the notion that governors can single-handedly deliver the North to the APC in a presidential election is misleading and does not reflect the region’s political realities.
“I am from northern Nigeria and I know the terrain very well,” Ardo said.
“There is no way any governor can deliver the North to the APC in a presidential election.”
He explained that voters in the region are largely independent-minded and are not easily swayed by decisions taken by political elites.
According to him, grassroots voters make electoral choices based on personal conviction rather than the party affiliation of their governors.
Ardo cautioned the ruling party against placing excessive reliance on governors and political defections as a winning strategy.
He noted that history has repeatedly shown that political influence in the North does not automatically follow elected officials.
He further warned that concentrating on elite politics while neglecting the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens could backfire on the APC in future presidential elections.
“Forget about the presidency, the APC bringing all governors, you know, into the APC. Where will any governor, especially me who comes from northern Nigeria? I can guarantee you, there is no way that any governor will deliver the APC in northern Nigeria not anywhere. But if they say they will see road,” he said.
