By Segun Giwa
A former House of Representatives member, Mr Kolawole Babatunde, on Tuesday emerged as the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State through consensus.
The Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr Ogonna Obiekwe, said the congress represented the strength of the internal democracy to build a formidable party.
Obiekwe said that leaders and members of the party in the state should remember that the future of the party was bigger than any ambition.
“Let peace guide our actions, unity, shape our positions and progress the men and women of the world.
“Today is one that as elections is the affirmation of our shared values, destiny, progress, fairness and unity. Congress represents the strength of our internal democracy, our political resolve to build a party that reflects the goals and aspirations of our citizens.
“At the end of this exercise, we must all be willing to work together for the greater good of APC and that of our country,” he said.
In his address, the new chairman of the party in the state, Mr Kolawole Babatunde, appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the support and commitment to the growth of the party.
Babatunde said though election might have brought about differences, noted that his emergence was not victory of exclusion, but that of inclusion for the party.
“We must now move from competition to collaboration. Our party must become a fortress of unity, a platform for inclusion, a machine of discipline and strategy, a home for every loyal. We shall energise our grassroots.
“We will empower workers, not just with slogans, but with structure and responsibility. We will elevate our women into leadership positions. We will strengthen our elders, honouring their wisdom and experience,” he said.
Similarity, Aiyedatiwa while addressing party members at the congress, urged them to uphold unity, discipline and internal democracy.
He described the exercise as more than a routine political event, stressing its significance in consolidating the party’s structure.
“Today’s congress is more than a routine political exercise. It is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to party supremacy, unity, inclusiveness and discipline.
“The APC remains a party built on structure, order and collective responsibility, which aligns with the first point in our seven-point agenda addressing order, security and the rule of law,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olabamidele Olanubi emerged as State Deputy Chairman, while Alex Kalejaiye emerged as State Secretary alongside 33 other members.
A competent source at the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Akure told NAN that the commission did not monitor the congress.
“Yes, I can tell you that no INEC official monitored today’s APC state Congress in Akure,” the source said.
The INEC source, however, declined to give reason(s) for not monitoring the congress. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)