The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has stated sacrifices he made for peace to be restored the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.

Tinubu confessed that he made himself available when some APC leaders in Ondo State sought to reach him before the party primaries to raise questions regarding Governor Oluwarotimi.

The former Lagos Governor said he didn’t make himself unavailable to hurt or insult anyone but because he knew the depth of character and the high quality of the Ondo APC leaders.

He spoke in Akure on Saturday where he commissioned the newly built edifice of the Ondo Internal Revenue Service.

Tinubu stated that true to his estimation of Ondo APC leader’s principles and political astuteness, they reached out to each other and worked together toward the continuance of progressive governance in the state under the banner of the APC.

His words, “I thank God that such a number of excellent and wide leaders are in our party. As such, Governor Akeredolu is the first among equals which means all of you must continue to dialogue and the door of consultation must remain open that our governor in his second term can rely on our collective wisdom to bring even more improvement to the state.

“Today, we have a united All Progressives Congress in Ondo. United toward achieving victory in the governorship election. United in the developmental work that must be done after the election.”

Tinubu said Governor Akeredolu has done more than talk development as well as dedicated himself and his administration to bringing development to the state.

He said Akeredolu has recorded several laudable projects including the Ore Industrial Hub, progressive agricultural empowerment amongst others.

The former Lagos Governor said Akeredolu would not have achieved such successes without the proper collection of taxes.

Tinubu stated that the withholding of allocation to the Lagos State by Obasanjo made challenged his administration creativity to be self sustaining and made Lagos now the fifth largest economy in Africa.

According to him, “Governor Akeredolu is to be commended for leading the state along this intelligent path of the agricultural revolution. As such, you should repose even greater confidence in him. There is no doubt that Ondo State will be better for it at the end of the day. He has also embarked on important social welfare programmes.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the wisdom of his viewpoint for we must do more to improve our public health system. Your governor has pledged to establish an efficient system where all the people in this state will be given clear access to basic health care. If we are truly intent on forming a progressive society, the government must lead the way in providing fundamental health care to those who cannot afford it themselves.

“But these laudable projects and ideas can only be realized in an atmosphere of unity of vision and action. Indeed, the governor cannot push forward nor can the state advance if there are division and dissension among us. Unity and adherence to collective purpose are hallmarks of progressive politics. Our ability to place the public welfare above our personal ambitions is what differentiates us from the political regressives who would rather that the general welfare suffer so they can fulfil their personal whims and wishes.

“As progressives, we must carefully tend to our bridge of unity. We must never allow it to break. We entered politics and governance to serve the people and this purpose should always bind us in ceaseless fraternity and togetherness. All true progressives must work towards this fertile unity and sustain that unity. With it, we can achieve the great things we see for this state and this nation. We can build a progressive society for ourselves and our children.
By Osagie Otabor