By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Tinubu has met with leaders and governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, urging them to embrace unity and consensus-building ahead of the party’s December 13 primary.
The meeting, held Monday night at the State House, Abuja, brought together key aspirants including former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Also present were the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
President Tinubu praised the aspirants for their contributions to the party and urged them to rally behind the consensus candidate that will emerge, stressing that internal disputes contributed to the APC’s loss in the last Osun election.
Emphasizing party supremacy, he charged them to prioritise collective responsibility and ensure victory for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.
“You all have a duty to ensure the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. Strengthen the bonds of unity, uphold party supremacy and work as one. I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory, and you have my full support,” the President said.
After the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint declaration pledging loyalty to the party’s decision-making process and committing to support the consensus candidate.
In the declaration, the aspirants affirmed party supremacy, agreed to abide by the choice of a consensus candidate, pledged full support to whoever emerges, and committed to maintaining peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC. They also vowed to work collectively to secure victory for the party in 2025.