All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged party members in Ondo State to unite and support
the winner of the party’s ticket.
“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 in a
statement.
According to him, after years of misgovernance and
suppression of the state’s immense potential, Ondo people have a chance to
break those shackles and move themselves toward progress, justice and
prosperity, which he said are their due.
Tinubu believes the APC must win the November 26 election to
restore democracy and the virtues of public service to 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,” Tinubu said.
To him, any of the APC governorship aspirants is better and
more qualified than the candidate of the party he said would soon be ousted
because of its poor stewardship.
“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,”
Tinubu said.
The former Lagos State Governor said Ondo must not miss the
opportunity to place itself on the “correct path”.
He added that for the “great change” to take place,
governance must move from where it 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 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,” Tinubu said.
According to him, during such tight competition within a
party to choose a candidate, tensions always mount and often-harsh things are
spoken.
He urged party members to keep their differences aside and
work toward achieving victory for the party.
The statement added: “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.
“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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