After years of misgovernance and suppression of
their state's immense potential, the people of Ondo have a chance to break
these shackles and to move themselves toward the progress, justice and
prosperity, which is their due.
May Ondo not miss this opportunity to place itself
on the correct path. For this to happen, governance of the state must must move
from the mean and awful hand that now holds it and come into the hands of those
who want to govern the state in a good way and who want to serve the people not
have the people serve them. For this great change to take place, governance
must move from where it now is held captive and into the hands of the APC.
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 sidetracked. 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 win the coming election and restore
democracy and the virtues of public service to the seat of governance in the
state. 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.
The APC must go into the governorship as united in
focus and purpose. All else is secondary to this objective. The journey to
reestablishing governance for the people and for posterity begins with the
primaries this Saturday.
The process leading up to the primaries has been
robust and energetic. We have the good fortune of having numerous renown and
able party members seek the nomination. This has lead to keen competition.
During such tight competition, tensions always mount and often-harsh things are
spoken. But this back and forth, this committed dialogue, is an integral part
of the democratic process. And it is this process that we have enshrined and shall
cherish in this party.
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.
These primaries will be enriched by the
participation of all. At the end of a fair and transparent process, our
champion in the state will be selected from among this excellent field. I take
great solace in the fact no matter which of the contestants will win the
primary I know that any one of them is a better and more qualified candidate of
the party that is soon to be ousted because of its poor stewardship of Ondo.
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.
You all know what is at stake. You all know what
your conscience is telling you. There can be no excuses or failure this time.
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. 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.
Victory is within your grasp. Don't let it fall
away because you were deceived into reaching for something less valuable and
more base.
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.
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