The first female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Jumoke Akindele, on Monday appealed to aspirants on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise President Bola Tinubu’s re-election over personal ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Akindele, who is an aspirant for the Ondo South Senatorial District, internal divisions and the unbridled pursuit of individual political goals could jeopardise the party’s collective objective of delivering a massive victory for the president in the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the former speaker stressed that while individual aspirations remained flexible, the president’s second-term bid must be treated as sacrosanct.

Akindele, who revealed that stakeholders within the state had already set a target of securing no fewer than one million votes for Tinubu, cautioned that any form of internal crisis could undermine the target.

The former Assembly Speaker emphasised that political contests should serve to strengthen rather than fracture the party, warning that a divided house stands no chance of securing any meaningful mandate.

“I must be frank, while our ambition at this moment is negotiable, the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is non-negotiable.

“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,” she stated.

The former Speaker emphasised the need for unity among aspirants, cautioning that political contests should strengthen rather than divide the party.

“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. Let us meet. Let us talk frankly, intelligently, and purposefully. Let us align where it matters most.

“We must each ask ourselves: are we acting strategically or merely reacting emotionally? Ego has its place, but not at the expense of opportunity,” Akindele said.

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.

“I am ready to host this engagement at my own cost and convenience, either in Akure, Lagos or 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,” she concluded.“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.