Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
An Ogun State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Odogbolu Ward 1, Prince Adekunle Adebayo Ayoola has said the party in the Southwest must remain one in the build up to 2023 general elections and should therefore not allow parochial interest to rob the region of clinching the party’s presidential ticket.
Ayoola in a statement made available to journalists at Abeokuta, the state capital disclosed that the call became imperative following some divisive comments being made from some quarters over the 2023 presidential aspirations of both the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
The political scientist and stalwart of the ruling party explained that “the dream of APC in the Southwest is to produce the next President of this country come 2023. This dream is sacrosanct, it is bigger than any individual interest and must never be derailed under no pretence
“It is however surprising that the party is allowing some fifth columnists to be creating unnecessary distraction and friction over the presidential ambitions of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who are both eminently qualified to contest for the number one seat of the country.
“The two politicians are both intelligent, resourceful, experienced and have the capabilities to consolidate on the gains of President Buhari’s achievements. Any of these leaders will make a good leader.
“Rather than heating up the party over the desire of these two great leaders to pick up the presidential ticket of the party and which if not properly managed could make the Southwest lose the opportunity to produce the next President of the country, time is now for everyone to be united. We can’t afford to go to battle field with a divided house.
“We must bury all needless in-fighting, our eyes should remain on the ball and nothing whatsoever must make us lose this golden opportunity”.
“This is an appealing call to all APC members and particularly the South West Zone to unite ahead of the 2023 elections to achieve the feat of 2015 and 2019. The party leadership must save APC from anarchy by shunning acts that could divide it.
“They should avoid promoting personal interests above the interests of over 40 million registered members of APC. Also, key stakeholders must unite behind President Muhammadu Buhari in his effort to find a solution to the problems of the party.
We must do all we can to become stronger and more united. Progress can only be achieved if all sides are willing to sacrifice for the party.
This is a very critical time for the APC southwest zone to decide its future, and everything must be done to avoid truncating the dream of Nigerians who have faith in the future of our country” the statement concluded.