By Ismail Azeez
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru, has distanced the party from individuals making derogatory remarks about civil servants in Osun State.
Bashiru described civil servants as critical stakeholders in the political and developmental growth of the state.
Speaking during a meeting with former Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) officials at his residence in Osogbo, the APC scribe noted that workers remain a major factor in the party’s quest for victory in the August 15 governorship election.
He said the comments against workers neither represent the position nor the ideology of the party, stressing that the APC would never support statements capable of insulting or diminishing the dignity of civil servants.
According to him, those who go on the radio to challenge workers over their numerical strength in Osun are not speaking for the APC.
He emphasized that the party did not send them, and they do not represent its position in any way.
Bashiru added that civil servants are enlightened individuals who are highly respected in their communities.
He noted that people listen to them because they understand governance and leadership, reiterating his enormous respect for them and stating that nobody has the authority to insult them in the name of the party.
He then appealed to the civil servants not to use their influence against the APC because of careless statements from certain individuals, reassuring them that those comments are personal opinions and not the official position of the party.
Bashiru further warned APC members and candidates against complacency ahead of the governorship election, insisting that victory would only come through hard work, unity, and reconciliation within the party.
He stated that he does not believe in automatic victory, noting that such a concept does not exist in politics. Instead, he urged members to work in every ward and polling unit while appealing to aggrieved individuals.
He urged all APC stakeholders to prioritize the victory of the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and advised National and State Assembly aspirants not to focus solely on their personal ambitions but rather on the August 15 governorship poll.
Bashiru made it clear that if the party fails to secure victory for Oyebamiji on August 15, any Senate or House of Representatives tickets within the APC would essentially be worthless.
He concluded by calling for unity within the party, urging members to avoid internal conflicts and channel their energy toward ensuring the APC’s return to power in Osun.