The elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have called on members of various groups in the party to unite and work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The Chairman of the Elders Forum, Mr Demola Ijabiyi, stated this during a meeting of the group in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday.
He said, “As elders and committed stakeholders in the political development of Ondo State, we consider it part of our responsibility to speak when necessary, to commend where commendation is deserved, to advise where counsel is required, to caution where restraint has become necessary and, above all, to promote peace, unity and political stability within our party.
“There appears to be a dangerous tendency to interpret every political development in Ondo State in terms of who has defeated whom. Who won? Who lost? Who controls the party? Who has been humiliated? Who has been elevated?
“This mentality must stop if we genuinely intend to deliver Ondo State overwhelmingly for President Tinubu. There is no victory yet to celebrate. The campaign has not been fought. The election has not been held. The votes have not been counted.
“Our political energy should therefore be directed towards mobilisation, reconciliation and expansion of the President’s support base. Every tendency within the APC that can bring votes should be accommodated. Every genuine Tinubu supporter should be encouraged. Every political leader capable of mobilising people should have a role.
“It is against this background that we have watched with concern some reactions following the announcement of the campaign structure. In particular, an article written by one of the supporters of the governor deserves attention. Ordinarily, we would not respond to every political commentary. Politics naturally generates disagreement, and democracy accommodates robust debate. But there must be boundaries.”
Ijabiyi said there was a need for every member of the party to utilise all their energy to work for the re-election of President Tinubu.
“The President’s campaign must be bigger than the political differences among leaders and individuals in Ondo State. There will be another time for Ondo politics. There will be another time for governorship ambitions. There will be another time for individuals to test their popularity. This particular assignment is about President Bola Tinubu, and we must treat it as such.”
