One of the National leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on all members of the party in Ondo State to unite and support the winner of the party’s ticket.
According to the former Lagos state Governor, APC must win the November 26 election to restore democracy and the virtues of public service to the state after years of mis-governance and suppression of the state’s immense potential.
He urged the party members to keep their differences aside and work toward achieving victory for the party declaring that harsh things are spoken during such tight competition within a party to choose a candidate.
“In Ondo we must close ranks to achieve victory. The future of the state and of the party in the state should never be held ransom to insignificant personal animosities and perceived slights,” he said.
“Ondo people have a chance to break those shackles and move themselves toward progress, justice and prosperity. Any of the APC governorship aspirants is better and more qualified than the candidate of the opposition party
“This is what the people desire and deserve. They have waited patiently. Now is the time to answer their call. This is our duty as a party and as people who care about their fellow man.
“No matter who that person shall be, it will be incumbent on us as a party and as individuals who want better for the people of Ondo to put aside our minor differences in order to rally around the candidate.
“Brothers and friends squabble and argue. That is human nature, but in the face of opposition that is determined to do injustice, brothers and friends reunite in common cause. This, the APC in Ondo must do.
“However, we cannot accomplish this great deed through petty bickering or by allowing our very opponents to sow discord among us. Our mission is too important and too humane to allow ourselves to be divided or side-tracked. We must remember what is truly at stake.
“Ondo will either renew the way of progress or it will continue to be oppressed. The APC is the way of progress. Thus, let us make this progress hand in hand, united in our belief that we can make Ondo better.
“The APC must go into the governorship as united in focus and purpose. All else is secondary to this objective. The journey to re-establishing governance for the people and for posterity begins with the primaries this Saturday.
“Party members have the right to speak their mind. They can levy criticism where they believe it is warranted yet also give commendation where it is due. They can comment on the quality of the process as well as endorse or oppose any candidate as they see fit.
“This process may not be neat and tidy because it is not choreographed or scripted in advance. What it is important is that it is fair to all who come into it. All those who have entered the contested primaries have a chance to win.
“In the end, as with any political contest, only one person will be chosen. Yet, that process would have been fair and open, all party members would have won. Democracy would have won and most importantly the people of Ondo will stand to win come the general election.
“We all must focus on what is more precious than our personal ambitions and more durable than our individual wishes. We must dedicate ourselves to uplifting this state and the very lives of the people of this state and nation. All is minor and a distraction in comparison to this sound goal.
“The key to the victory resides in how well you conduct yourselves after the primary. Joined in unified and fraternal purpose, there is no gathering or alignment of forces in the state that can best you. You must choose the history you seek. This cannot and will not be done in Abuja or anywhere else for that matter.
“Your walk toward destiny takes a momentous step with a successful primary. After that, all of the party, including its leaders will join the campaign trail in full support and commitment to the candidate you select that we may achieve victory over a spent and undesirable PDP.”
Abuja City News recalls that Tinubu had been accused of favouring a particular aspirant at the expense of others leading to internal bickering within the party in the state.
