Former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, has urged All Progressives Congress aspirants in Ondo State to place the re-election of President Bola Tinubu above individual political ambitions ahead of future polls.
Akindele, in a message to party stakeholders, said while political aspirations are legitimate, they must be subordinated to the broader interest of the party and its electoral success.
According to her, unity within the ruling party remains crucial, especially as preparations begin to consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu.
“I must be frank: while our ambition at this moment is negotiable, the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is non-negotiable,” she said.
She disclosed that APC stakeholders in the state had set a target of at least one million votes for the President, warning that internal divisions could undermine that objective.
“Since we have agreed that Ondo State must deliver not less than one million votes, we must avoid anything that could jeopardise that goal, especially on the altar of personal ambition,” she added.
Akindele cautioned that internal contests within the party should not degenerate into rancour or fragmentation, stressing that cohesion was essential for electoral strength.
“Our contests should sharpen us, not scatter us. The platform that carries our aspirations must not become collateral damage in the pursuit of individual goals,” she said.
She further warned that disunity could weaken the party’s structure and affect its chances at the polls, describing cohesion as the foundation of political success.
“A fractured house wins no mandate. If the foundation shakes, no structure stands,” she noted.
To address internal tensions, the former Speaker proposed a strategic meeting among aspirants to harmonise interests and strengthen collaboration ahead of elections.
“Let us meet and talk frankly, intelligently and purposefully. Let us align where it matters most,” she said.
Akindele also expressed willingness to personally host such a meeting, saying it could be convened at any mutually agreed location to foster unity and shared purpose within the party.
