Ondo APC is united, we aim for one million votes for Tinubu, Party chairman

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Babatunde Kolawole, says the party is united despite some disagreements among members as elections approach. In an interview with PETER DADA, he talks about the party's internal issues, reconciliation steps, relationships with political figures, and the APC's goal of getting one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the state.

Political parties often have problems. There will always be arguments and disagreements. But what is good about our party is we have ways to resolve these issues. When I became chairman, we began to strengthen the party’s structure. Before we knew it, we were already in election mode. We held a by-election in the Ondo South Senatorial District while also getting ready for the general elections, including primaries for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate. We also had zonal and national conventions. So, there was hardly any time to relax. Political activities always lead to some issues. We cannot go through all these processes without some disagreements. We need to let the process run its course. It is a cycle we must complete. After we finish this cycle, we can sit down as a party and leaders to discuss how to fix the issues that have come up. Recently, we had our primaries for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate. Now, we have candidates, and that wraps up the cycle I mentioned.

I don’t agree that the party is splitting in the state. To me, these small issues are normal. They are just political disagreements, and I believe they are not enough to tear us apart as a party. After our primaries, there are steps to take by both the party and the national leadership. Those steps have been taken. The party leadership has the right to take further steps as laid out in the party’s constitution. A review committee was set up to look at the primaries. The committee has submitted its report to the national leadership, and decisions have been made. I have always said this is how the party operates. I ran for the House of Representatives. It wasn’t a direct primary; it was indirect. I served for four years and wanted to return, but I was not given the chance. The leadership made its decision, and I had to accept it. That is how it works. I can protest because I am human, and everyone can express their opinion. But it must be done in a way that allows the party leadership to reach out and appeal to you. For us in the APC, even if you don’t get a ticket, your value is still recognized. I did not get a return ticket to the National Assembly, but I later became a special adviser to the government.

Like I said, I see this as political bickering and minor disagreements, which we can overcome. I am happy to say we have had talks with the leadership. We also set up a reconciliation committee, and it has begun its work. This answers your question. We are aware of the situation, and it is key that, as we head into the elections, especially the presidential election, we put our house in order. Most importantly, we are focused on getting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu elected. The governor has declared that Ondo State is for Tinubu. We are targeting at least one million votes for the President. We are working hard to ensure we reach this goal. I cannot do this alone, and neither can the governor. We need everyone, including the media, to support us in bringing back our President. I have no fear about the election.

As a party, we follow rules. The reconciliation committee is already in place. Regarding the disagreements, we have taken a step to set up the reconciliation committee. It will look into the issues of aggrieved members. This is normal. After every political activity, whether primaries, congresses, or elections, there will be winners and those who didn’t win. They have the right to express their views. The person who went on national TV has the right to his opinion and the freedom to speak. What he said is his personal view. He did not represent the party, the party leader, or the government. He spoke as an individual.

I repeat, there is no division in Ondo APC. I have met with the Minister of Interior several times. We have talked and had discussions. I have also met with the Minister of Youth, and we have spoken. I have been in touch with the ministers based on our activities over time, including congresses, zonal and national conventions, primaries, and the party's structure. These are part of our work plan by the State Working Committee. I have engaged with all three ministers, especially those who are politically active. What matters is the result. The result is what counts. I can tell you we have a good relationship with all three ministers.

I don’t understand why there is an attempt to show division. The support groups are all working towards the party's goals. Who funds them does not matter. We are all in the same party. I recently spoke with one of the support groups and told them I want to support them as much as I can. We have a target ahead. To reach that target, we need all support groups. We have registered about 84 support groups. We must achieve the one-million-vote goal. Let me tell you the truth: forget what is happening in the state capital. Politics is local and grassroots-based. I don’t believe in doing everything from the state capital. I think engaging with the people at the grassroots is important.

Any support from the governor or the national leadership will go through the party to all registered support groups. That is how we work, from the top to the bottom. The support groups are here, and there is no division. They are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and for the elections for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate. We have gone through the stages of our political activities, including congresses and primaries. Now, we need to unite and ensure victory for the party.

You said, if I heard correctly, that the opposition is dead or that there is no opposition in Nigeria, especially in Ondo State. I don’t think that is our fault as a party. I also would not agree that there is no opposition in Ondo State. Right now, we have opposition parties. People are showing interest in various positions, including the State House of Assembly and House of Representatives, from other parties. They are not just one or two; there are many opposition parties. They will contest the elections against us. What I see is people are being attracted to the APC because of President Tinubu's achievements. We have the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which we are all proud of. You can see the work happening on our roads, especially if you travel through Akure or from Lagos through Ibadan and Ilesa to Akure. These are not just political claims; they are visible to everyone. Are we talking about the student loan? Are we discussing the removal of the fuel subsidy and the bold decisions being made? Are we talking about security? We may not be where we want to be, but we are making daily efforts. We are not responsible for everything happening in the country today. Some parties that were in power before us contributed to the current situation. But decisive actions have been taken by our national leader, the President, and we are seeing results. He is our national leader. At the local level, we have our governors as leaders. I have mentioned that we have the Renewed Hope Agenda at the national level, while we have our own agenda in the state, where the governor leads the party. Both agendas focus on the welfare of the people and improving the lives of Nigerians, especially those in Ondo State. We can also see the structures and infrastructure developed in Ondo State. These are some reasons why members of opposition parties are joining the APC, and we should not be blamed for that.

If you say those opposition parties are not a threat, I would agree that they are not a threat to us as a party. As I said, you cannot blame us for making our party stronger. What attracts people to the APC is what the party is doing at the national level under the President's leadership.