By Olumuyiwa Asagunla 

The primary election to pick the national assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election may have come and gone, but the dust generated may take a little while to settle.

Signs that all may not be well with the process began to manifest long before the election. With different names springing up everyday, the APC was at risk of being in bad shape ahead of the presidential election.

How do you explain that the names of ranking members of the House of Representatives and Senate who in their own respective ways are contributing to the growth of Ondo state with constructive deliberations on  national issues in the 10th assembly were initially removed.

But thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national working committee of the APC under the leadership  of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe who after juxtaposing the results of the two Congresses after both parties couldn’t reach consensus have done the right thing by returning those that can actually win election for our great party and give Asiwaju the 95 percent target to be delivered for APC in the state.

They are the best candidates that can put our party  in very good stead heading to the presidential election.

The relief and joy that greeted the release of the list of candidates was enough sign that the party truly understands the feelings of its members, and promptly did what was best in the interest of the party.

It should, however, be noted that now is not the time to apportion blame to anyone or group of persons. It is indeed a defining moment in the life of our political family when personal interests must give way to collective aspirations.

That moment is now.

As honorable men and women, as well as loyal members of the APC in Ondo state, it will not be wrong to maintain that our dear state deserves ranking honourables and senators as its mouthpiece in the national assembly.

It is to the glory of God that the President and the NWC of our great party understand this, and have done what is best in the interest of the state, the people and the party.

For us as chieftains of the ruling party, this period should serve as an opportunity to come together, stand together in unity and unwavering  commitment to the ideals of the founding fathers of our great party.

In all of this, something very special continues to gladden my heart: the commitment to internal democracy and party cohesion of Mr President and other leaders of the party, an attribute that continues to reinforce confidence in the APC as a party built on progressive ideals and democratic principles.

Also, we leaders of the party in Ondo state, we must begin to realise that time for unity and cohesion is now. The governor and other national leaders of the party should do self appraisal of their activities and contributions to the party and make serious and sincere efforts to correct whatever they deem necessary to give Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinunbu maximum votes come 2027 general election.

And to all members of APC in Ondo State, my plea is that we all respect the decision of the national working committee of our party on the choice of the candidates for the national assembly. Let us know that the protests against the decision of our highly respected National working Committee of our great party will do no one any good, rather we would unwittingly be playing into the hands of the enemies.

In moving forward, we shall together consolidate the gains of progressive governance, strengthen our democracy, and build a stronger, more prosperous Ondo State.

And for the candidates, I want to urge them to be magnanimous in victory, and to immediately put in place machinery to extend hands of fellowship to fellow aspirants and all members of our great party. Please, note that lasting political success is built on inclusion, consultation, mutual respect, and shared purpose.

And so with the presidential election a few months away, the good story is that the leaders of the APC in the state have realised the importance of the task ahead and have girded their loins to ensure that the party remains a united and strong force come 2027.

Once again, I commend President Tinubu, the national chairman of our great party, members of the national working committee, and the entire national executive committee of the APC for providing, robust, purposeful, and visionary leadership throughout the primary election process. Of course, their determination to stand with the people in the greater interest of the party will never be in vain.

Olumuyiwa Asagunla wrote from Oke Agbe Akoko in Ondo State. He is the Director General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group