Rt Hon. Jumoke Akindele, the first female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, on Monday appealed to All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants to prioritize President Bola Tinubu's re-election over personal ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akindele, who is vying for the Ondo South Senatorial District seat, warned that internal divisions and unchecked pursuit of individual political goals could jeopardize the party's collective aim of securing a landslide victory for the president in the state. In a statement issued to the press, the former speaker stressed that while personal aspirations remain flexible, the president's second-term bid must be treated as non-negotiable.
She revealed that stakeholders in Ondo State have already set a target of delivering at least one million votes for Tinubu, cautioning that any internal crisis could undermine this goal. Akindele emphasized that political contests should strengthen rather than fracture the party, noting that a divided house cannot secure 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 underscored the need for unity among aspirants, cautioning that political contests should sharpen rather than scatter 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 offered to personally host a meeting of aspirants, suggesting 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.
