A political group supporting the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), has called for calm, unity and fairness ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Ondo State.
The group also urged Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, party leaders, aspirants and other stakeholders to ensure that the primaries do not degenerate into crisis or violence.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Akure by the group’s Director-General, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye.
Yusuf-Ogunleye expressed concern over rising tension within the party ahead of the primaries in the state.
The primaries for the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and Senate are scheduled to hold from May 15 to 20.
He warned against turning the exercise into a “do-or-die affair,” stressing that internal crises could weaken the party ahead of the general elections.
“Let aspirants freely test their popularity before party members, even where consensus is adopted.
“Let the process be conducted with fairness and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“We appeal to the governor, as leader of the party in the state, to ensure that the primaries are free, fair and peaceful.
“We remain members of the same political family, and the nomination exercise is strictly an internal affair of the party.
“Families who lost loved ones, individuals whose property was destroyed and those who sustained injuries during the last party congresses are still nursing their pains.
“Our party remains our collective platform, and the responsibility before all of us is to ensure that President Tinubu records a resounding victory in the state,” he said.
Yusuf-Ogunleye added that internal crises and unnecessary bickering would only weaken the party, urging members to remember that they are one family under one governor, one president and one state.
He also appealed to security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that the primaries are conducted peacefully.
The director-general further urged the governor to promote democratic engagement and guarantee a free, fair and transparent process.
