Fidelis David in Akure
Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 House of Representatives elections in Ondo State have appealed to aggrieved party members to accept the outcome of the party’s primaries and shun protests, stressing that unity remains vital to the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.
The candidates made the appeal yesterday in Akure after returning from Abuja, where the APC National Working Committee (NWC) concluded the uploading and ratification of the results of the National Assembly primary elections.
Addressing journalists, the APC candidate for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Michael Akintomide, urged party faithful to remain calm, insisting that the NWC had concluded the primary process in line with the party’s constitution.
He said members should respect the supremacy of the party and disregard narratives circulating on social media that could further deepen divisions within the APC.
“There is no need for agitation. For clarity’s sake, the National Working Committee has spoken and there is party supremacy. Whatever they are saying on social media that is contrary to the position of the party should be ignored. Even if there are protests, don’t join them. Believe in the process. The process has produced credible candidates,” Akintomide said.
He reaffirmed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains the leader of the APC in Ondo State and expressed confidence that the governor and other party leaders would work together to strengthen the party ahead of the elections.
Reacting to concerns that the post-primary disagreements could weaken the APC before the general elections, Akintomide dismissed the fears, describing such disputes as a normal feature of every democratic contest.
“People have the right to express their displeasure. However, at the end of the day, we will come to the round table and understand that the party is superior to every personal interest. We will all come together as one and emerge victorious,” he added.
Also speaking, the APC candidate for Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, Jimi Odimayo, called on party members to rally behind all candidates produced through the primaries, maintaining that the APC remained one united family despite the contest.
Odimayo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their roles during the primary process, urging members to remain committed to the party’s victory at all levels.
“I advise all party members to accept the candidates of the party. I advise them to unite and work for the progress of the party. We have a fantastic relationship. It’s one family,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) in Ondo State, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, said the reception organised for the candidates was to appreciate President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee for their support for Ondo State and the party.
Asagunla said the group had continued to mobilise, sensitise and empower residents across the state since its inauguration in March 2024, expressing optimism that the APC would record an even stronger performance in the 2027 general elections.
He attributed the confidence to what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration and developmental projects attracted to Ondo State, adding that the group would sustain its grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for all APC candidates.
He also stressed the need for reconciliation within the party, urging members to place the APC above individual ambitions and work together to secure victory in the forthcoming elections.
