First Female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jumoke Akindele, has urged senatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over personal ambitions.
Akindele who is interested in the Ondo South senatorial seat advised her co-aspirants to shun personal ambition and work for the party and the re-election of President Tinubu.
Akindele, in an address to fellow aspirants said while individual aspirations could be adjusted, the second-term bid of President Tinubu must remain sacrosanct.
Her words “I must be frank, while our ambition at this moment is negotiable, the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is non-negotiable.”
She noted that party stakeholders in Ondo State had already set a target of delivering at least one million votes for the President, warning that internal divisions could undermine the collective objective.
According to her, “Since we have all agreed that from Ondo State alone we must give him not less than a million votes, we must do nothing to jeopardise that goal, particularly on the altar of our personal goals.”
The former Speaker emphasised the need for unity among aspirants, cautioning that political contests should strengthen rather than divide the party.
She said: “Our contests should sharpen us, not scatter us. The very platform that carries our aspirations must not become collateral damage in the pursuit of individual goals. A fractured house wins no mandate. If the foundation shakes, no structure stands.
“Our political relevance today is anchored in a larger force and leadership that inspired us to step forward. Our strength flows from that centre, and it must remain intact”
As part of efforts to foster cohesion, Akindele proposed a strategic engagement among aspirants to align interests and map out a unified approach.
According to her, “Let us meet. Let us talk, frankly, intelligently, and purposefully. Let us align where it matters most.”
She also appealed to other aspirants to act with strategic thinking rather than emotion in pursuing their ambitions.
Akindele said: “We must each ask ourselves: are we acting strategically, or merely reacting emotionally? Ego has its place, but not at the expense of opportunity.”
She further offered to personally host the proposed meeting, stating that the gathering could be held in Akure, Lagos, Abuja, or any other mutually agreed location.
Her words “I am ready to host this engagement at my own cost and convenience, either in Akure, Lagos, Abuja, or any other place we may all agree upon. So that we can shape a path that preserves our strength, sharpens our strategy, and secures our collective future.
“History rarely remembers those who merely contested; it remembers those who understood the moment. Let us be those people. In unity and purpose, we can secure not just victory, but a lasting future for our party.”
Akindele, however, urged aspirants to rise above personal interests and embrace unity for the success of the party and the country.
