Traditionally, the new year is a time when people take stock of their lives and set resolutions for a new year. In that spirit, we would like to propose a commitment to enhance unity in our party.

Firstly, let us appreciate the governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN who is fulfilling election campaign promises.

He is turning the soil to boost food production and food security in the state. He is driving youth employment in agriculture. He is encouraging innovation and empowering the industrial sector. He is engaging in massive infrastructure development across the entire state. Ondo State has now become a one, big, octopus construction site.

The 2019 resolution for all members of APC is to compliment the good work of the governor and work hard in a spirit of cooperation to drive our party forward. The place to start is bringing an end to the loathsome practice of questioning the motivations of the leadership of our party, or impugning its integrity. We must not indulge in disloyalty just because we disagree on issues with our leaders.

Somewhere along the way, the valuable and necessary debates over important issues have degenerated into questioning each other’s loyalty to this great party. When we go down this road we actually undercut part of what makes APC an incredible political party in the state.

We should take steps right away to move back towards mutual respect and understanding, otherwise, we could do irreparable damage to the social fabric of our party.

Starting today, we can choose a different path. A starling example of working in unity to get things done for the party. We must show this by sweeping into victory in the coming general election. This should not be difficult because there is no other political party that can match our grit determination to deliver the three Senatorial seats, nine House of Representative positions and twenty six House of Assembly seats in the state.

In a more rational time, not that long ago, our lawmakers were permitted to disagree in public without the fear of being labeled as bad actors with nefarious intentions or indulging in anti party activities. It should be possible to weigh arguments on their merits, and to debate proper approaches to every policy like the budget, security and every other issue without resorting to names calling or moral damnation of one another. We should not be seen to disagree with the executive arm of the government, unnecessarily.

In recent times, simple and minor debates have given way to dangerous rhetoric and violent activities. It is high time we put this damaging trend to bed before it consumes the state that we all love.

As a people, we have a lot more in common than we have in differences. Our Lawmakers should henceforth come together to pass the important bills that will deliver good benefits to our citizens.

So, for 2019, and beyond, let us all pledge to put our party first, and to take a step back from disloyalty and betrayal of trust. Let us drop the ugly, mean-spirited sentiments and memes that some of our members perpetuate on social media – against the party.

Let us stop hating for sport and start thinking about making real, perfect changes.

We should resist the temptation to pin all faults on our leaders. We should also ask ourselves ‘what have I done wrong or should have done otherwise to better the position of the party’.

Despite the challenges we face, we all have so much to be thankful for and excited about. We are capable, we are willing, and we are ready. Let us all aspire to be a better and loyal party men and women, be kinder to our political party, and more generous and appreciative of our party’s leadership strides. We are a family. We stand together.

We are progressives and we belong to the greatest party in the history of our nation. That alone, is something to celebrate, something in which we should all take pride.

As the political party that gave the platform to all APC elected members of the legislatives, the executives and other political appointees, our hope is that 2019 brings more respectful and thoughtful dialogue.

Let us resolve to treat one another, especially, the party leadership with more understanding, love and brotherhood affection.

The members of our party are looking up to us for leadership in piloting the affairs of the party to victory in the 2019 general elections. We cannot afford to fail them.

Steve Otaloro
Director, Media & Publicity
APC, Ondo State.


http://www.ondoevents.com/2019/01/03/new-year-resolution-for-a-united-apc-in-ondo-state-by-steve-otaloro/