The Accord Party in Lagos State, on Friday said that its chances of winning the forthcoming bye-elections in the state were bright.
The Publicity Secretary of Accord Party, Mr Dele Oladeji, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the party as “a grassroots party loved by the people.’’
Oladeji said that the party had begun preparations in earnest and wooing voters in the affected senatorial and state constituencies.
NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Oct. 31 for the Lagos East Senatorial District and Kosofe Constituency II bye-elections.
The bye-elections became necessary following the death of occupants of the seats in both the Senate and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Until their death, they were members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oladeji said, “Our chances are very great because we are a grassroots party and we are the people’s party in Lagos State.
“Being a party at the grassroots, we have cordial link with the people and our chance is high. The people of Lagos have always voted for us in every election.
“We are not going to give any room for any rigging,’’ he said.
On whether Accord Party planned to enter into an alliance with other opposition parties to defeat the APC, he said the party had planned to go into the elections alone.
According to him, the party toed the line of aligning with other opposition parties in the 2019 general election because of the need to oust the ruling party in the state.
“We toed that very line in the last elections, there were reasons for that but in these forthcoming by- elections, we are going fully into the elections except there is a need to make sacrifice for a higher result.
“The interest in any election is not even about our party but for the people’s interest.
“If looking at the variables on the ground and we realise that we need to form an alliance with other formidable opposition parties in order to get away the general enemy of the people, we may toe that line.
“However, for now, we have no such plan and interest. We are going into these elections and we are going to come out successful,’’ Oladeji said.
On plans to brighten the party’s chances in the elections, Oladeji said the party would embark on door-to-door mobilisation, street/road rallies as well as awareness creation through the various media.
NAN reports that Accord Party conducted its primary elections for both seats on Wednesday.
While Mr Imoleayo Idowu emerged as the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Lagos East bye-election, Mr Adebola Abiodun, clinched the party’s ticket for Kosofe Constituency II bye-election.
