Nigeria, Jan. 8 -- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has declared that its electoral fortunes are tied more to the will of the voters than to the clout of political heavyweights, even as it admits that influential figures can be an added advantage.

Speaking in Akure, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Modupe Aisida, said the party's true muscle lies with the electorate, insisting that defections by governors and other top figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have not diminished the PDP's grassroots strength.

He pointed to recent electoral upsets to drive home his point, noting that political power can slip through even the strongest fingers when the people decide otherwise.

"Look at what happened in Lagos. Tinub...