—Accept defeat in good faith

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Ondo State representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Board, Hon. Otito Atikase, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to accept the outcome of the APC National Assembly primary and discourage protests against the party and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement titled “Political Loyalty: A Test of Character and Party Discipline,” Atikase said true loyalty is measured by how politicians handle unfavourable decisions.

“When you anticipate success, you should also anticipate failure. Doing so equips you with the ability to manage both success and disappointment,” he said.

Atikase said he never lost a primary while in the PDP, but alleged that APC candidates are often determined by leadership.

He claimed that when he ran for local government chairman, Aiyedatiwa and party chieftain Gbenga Edema opposed him.

“Eventually, without any primary election, Goke Jatuwase emerged as the party’s candidate. I accepted the outcome in good faith.

I was the only aspirant who neither protested nor took the party to court,” he said.

The NDDC commissioner alleged that Aiyedatiwa determined the composition of APC executives at state, local government and ward levels during congresses.

He said despite being a federal appointee from Mahin Ward 3, the governor constituted the ward executive without consulting him.

“I not only accepted his decision, but I also worked tirelessly to reconcile members of the ward in the interest of unity. Yet, despite my efforts, my supporters and I continue to face discrimination,” Atikase said.

He blamed “political exclusion” for APC’s poor outing in the recent Ondo South senatorial by-election, saying logistics were controlled by one political group.

Atikase added that he was not consulted before the emergence of the APC candidate for Ilaje Constituency II, but still mobilised support for him.

On the NASS primaries, Atikase said the national party has taken a “definitive position” and all members should accept it.

“Now, the National Assembly primary election has come to a conclusion based on the fact that the party at the national level has taken a definitive position.

“It is expected that all of us should accept that decision in good faith, just as we have consistently accepted decisions taken at the state level,” he said.

He said Aiyedatiwa’s loyalty to the APC is now being tested and urged him to place the party above personal interests.

“The governor’s political loyalty is now being tested. This is the moment for him to demonstrate that his loyalty is to the party above personal or sectional interests,” Atikase said.

He criticised protests by political appointees against the primary outcome.

“Allowing his appointees to stage futile protests against the party’s decision does not strengthen his position; rather, it raises questions about his commitment to party discipline and collective leadership. They are doing him no favours,” he said.

Atikase maintained that political loyalty means remaining committed to the party and respecting its decisions even in difficult times.