A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Dr. Femi Akinkuebi, has urged the party's leadership at the state and national levels to prioritise loyalty, fairness and sacrifice in handling internal affairs, warning that committed members should not be taken for granted.
Akinkuebi, who made the appeal in a statement titled, "Loyalty Should Never Be Mistaken for Weakness," said the recent political developments in the Ondo East/West Federal Constituency should prompt the party to reflect on how it treats members who place collective interest above personal ambition.
The APC stalwart said he deliberately stepped down from contesting the House of Representatives seat after wide consultations and careful consideration of the party's overall interest, describing the decision as a sacrifice made to preserve unity and support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's leadership.
According to him, his decision should not be mistaken for political weakness, stressing that it was a demonstration of discipline and commitment to the party.
"I had every legitimate intention to aspire for the House of Representatives seat. However, after careful consultations and a strategic assessment of the bigger picture, I chose not to enter the contest. It was a conscious decision made in the interest of party unity and stability," he said.
Akinkuebi noted that other aspirants from Ondo East and Ondo West also shelved their ambitions based on what he described as a collective understanding reached within the party to support the return of the incumbent lawmaker, Abiola Makinde, for a third term.
He said many stakeholders accepted the arrangement despite growing calls that, on the basis of equity and political progression, it was Ondo East's turn to produce the next representative for the federal constituency.
"That was not weakness. It was discipline. It was loyalty. It was faith in our party and confidence in the leadership of our governor," he stated.
The APC chieftain, however, expressed concern that many loyal members were beginning to question whether the sacrifices they made for the party had been adequately recognised and appreciated.
He warned that failure to reward loyalty and selflessness could discourage members from making similar sacrifices in the future, insisting that political parties thrive when commitment, patience and discipline are acknowledged.
Akinkuebi also appealed to the party leadership to address lingering political disagreements, including those involving the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, through dialogue, reconciliation and fairness.
He maintained that enduring political parties are built by accommodating loyal members rather than creating unnecessary divisions, urging the APC to remain committed to justice, equity and long-term unity.
"The party has grown because thousands of loyal members have consistently placed its success above their personal ambitions. Those members deserve to know that their loyalty is recognised, their sacrifices are remembered and their commitment remains valued," he said.
Akinkuebi, who is the convener of the Itesiwaju Movement, concluded that loyalty remains one of the greatest strengths of any political organisation and should never be mistaken for weakness.
0 Comments