The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has stated that for Ondo State to move towards progress, justice and prosperity, APC must take over governance.
He, however, added that this cannot be accomplished through petty bickering or by allowing opponents to sow discord.
Tinubu made this assertion in a statement signed by his media office, on Wednesday, adding that members must remember what is at stake -to renew the way of progress or continue to be oppressed.
“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,” he asserted.
According to him, the APC must win the coming election and restore democracy and virtues of public service to the seat of governance in Ondo State, as “this is what the people desire and deserve,” adding that “they have waited patiently and now is the time to answer their call.”
“This is our duty as a party and as people who care about their fellow men. The APC must go into the governorship election as united in focus and purpose. All else are secondary to this objective. The journey to re-establish 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 renowned and able party members seeking the nomination. This has led to keen competition. During such tight competition, tension always mount and often-harsh things are spoken,” Tinubu said.
He added that party members have “the right to speak their minds, raise criticism where they believe it is warranted, but also give commendation where it is due.
“This process may not be neat and tidy because it is not choreographed or scripted in advance. What is important is that it is fair to all who come into it. All those who entered the primaries have a chance to win. In the end, as with any political contest, only one person will be chosen.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu concluded that it is incumbent on the party and as individuals who want better for the people of Ondo, to put aside 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 excuse for failure this time,” he stated.