Get Guardian on Google…Olabimtan calls for unity of purpose over personal ambition
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter, has revealed its determination to surpass its 2023 presidential election performance, vowing to deliver a record-breaking victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday lead APC governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, national party leaders and other political heavyweights to Akure for the party’s presidential campaign rally, with the state chapter targeting one million votes.
The Director-General of the Ondo State APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, Victor Olabimtan, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing, assuring the party’s national leadership of the state’s readiness to host a successful rally.
Olabimtan stressed that achieving the ambition would require more than political enthusiasm, identifying unity of purpose, effective coordination, discipline, and active participation of every party member as crucial to victory.
While urging party leaders, stakeholders and members to place collective interests above personal ambitions and aspirations, he said, “This is an achievement we are proud of, but we are not resting on our oars. We are determined to surpass that record in the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The campaign council Director-General said the party had activated its mobilisation machinery across the 18 local council areas under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
He said party leaders, elected representatives, political appointees, stakeholders, ward and local government coordinators, youth and women leaders, as well as other structures, had been engaged to ensure an impressive turnout at Wednesday’s rally.
Expressing confidence in the preparations, Olabimtan said the enthusiasm and commitment of party members would be reflected in a strong demonstration of the APC’s organisational capacity.
He said the rally would provide the people of Ondo State an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with Tinubu, reaffirm confidence in his leadership and identify with the Renewed Hope vision of his administration.
Olabimtan stressed that some of the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration had brought temporary difficulties for citizens.
He, however, maintained that difficult decisions were necessary to address longstanding structural challenges, reposition the economy, strengthen public finances and encourage investment.
On federal representation, he described the presence of three substantive ministers from Ondo State in the Federal Executive Council as a huge milestone in the state’s political history.
According to him, their appointments had strengthened the state’s representation in national policy formulation and implementation while creating more opportunities to benefit from Federal Government programmes and initiatives.
Olabimtan described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a landmark project which, by passing through Ondo’s coastal communities, would improve connectivity, open up economic opportunities and stimulate commerce, tourism, agriculture and other productive activities.
He also expressed optimism over the renewed attention to the Olokola Deep Seaport project, saying its eventual realisation would unlock the maritime and industrial potential of the state’s coastal communities, attract investment and create employment.
Other major interventions, he said, included the ongoing expansion and reconstruction of the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road and the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin Road.
He said the projects were expected to improve transportation, facilitate the movement of people and goods and strengthen economic activities within and beyond the state.
“As Director-General of the Ondo State Presidential Campaign Council, I wish to assure the Governor and the entire APC family that we will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to achieve our common objective,” he said.
Olabimtan urged members to set aside personal differences and individual ambitions, stressing that the task ahead required cooperation, discipline, loyalty and a shared sense of purpose.
He charged party members to strengthen their ward and local government structures, sustain engagement with the electorate and communicate the policies, programmes and achievements of the Tinubu administration in a clear, factual and convincing manner.
