2023: GOV AKEREDOLU MEETS ASPIRANTS, ASSURES THEM OF LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Tuesday met with aspirants vying for the tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the 2023 general elections.
Although, Ondo State is not due for governorship election until 2025, the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections will be held in 2023.
Governor Akeredolu, who met with the aspirants at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, assured them of a level-playing ground.
He harped on the need to promote unity within the party, calling on the aspirants to allow the leadership of the party to drive the process.
Governor Akeredolu also warned serving lawmakers who have not performed in their constituencies and senatorial districts to reassess themselves before contesting for the party’s tickets again.
“Self assessment is key. Go and assess yourselves. I have come here to appeal to all of you that we don’t all have to run into this election with a huge number. I know people have resigned. I am not filling those positions until after the election. Don’t close any option. Leave all options open. The party has a stake,” he added.
Governor Akeredolu, who noted that the party in the state is presently sailing smoothly, urged the aspirants not to heat up the polity.
The Governor added: “I can assure you that we will give a level playing field. But assess yourselves. Sit down and think. What have you attracted to your constituency or senatorial district as a senator or House of Representatives members? If you have not attracted anything, the people will be your judge.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the party in the state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, told the aspirants that the party is guided with principles and discipline.
“This party believes in leadership and we will not joke with the tickets of the APC. No individual can win the election without the contribution of the party. I want to appeal that we must take it easy. Allow the leadership to drive this party,” the Chairman said.
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
April 26, 2022.
📸 Olawale Abolade
HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNOR AKEREDOLU’S MEETING WITH APC ASPIRANTS
- The party will create a level playing ground for all aspirants in the coming primary elections.
- However, the leadership of the party will explore the option of pruning down the number of aspirants through stakeholders intervention.
- The party has set up committees in each senatorial district to meet with stakeholders and work on the possibility of reaching consensus wherever possible.
- Therefore, aspirants are advised not to obtain nomination forms yet and should reduce money spending pending the outcome of the resolutions of the committees set up by the party.
- Those who are already serving should give themselves self assessment and not bother to seek re-election if they have not performed to the satisfaction of their constituents.
- The governor will not fill the positions of government appointees who have resigned to contest until after the elections.
- The governor will consider compensating some aspirants who merit such compensation if they are not picked for primary.
- Leaders of the party in their respective local government areas should assist in meeting with aspirants to reach consensus wherever possible.
- However, no aspirant will be stopped from contesting and there will be no imposition of candidates.
- The party is enjoined to delay sale of nomination forms for a week so that these issues can be resolved, but any aspirant who insists on buying forms should be obliged.
