Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday urged aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in the state to embrace consensus and respect zoning arrangements ahead of forthcoming elections.
Abiodun made the call during a meeting with House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants, alongside party leaders from the 20 local government areas, held in Abeokuta.
He said while many members were qualified to contest, only one candidate could emerge for each position, stressing the need for compromise to sustain party unity.
The governor explained that zoning arrangements would serve as a guide to ensure fairness and inclusiveness, noting that grassroots leaders were best placed to assess aspirants and recommend suitable candidates.
“I am not a dictator and I have no intention of imposing candidates,” he said, adding that decisions would be reached through consultations with stakeholders at the local level.
Abiodun warned that rancorous primaries could lead to bitterness, financial strain and internal divisions capable of weakening the party’s chances at the polls.
To douse tension, he promised to refund nomination form fees to aspirants who fail to secure party tickets and assured them of compensation and future opportunities within the party.
He further disclosed that some aspirants who stepped down or aligned with party decisions had already been considered for government appointments, noting that the move was aimed at retaining experienced members and discouraging anti-party activities.
Drawing from his political journey, Abiodun urged aspirants to remain patient and committed.
“I started contesting in 1993 and only became governor in 2019. If you don’t get it today, you may get it tomorrow,” he said.
Party elders, including Kola Ogunjobi, Olu Agemo, Adekunle Adesina, Gbenga Kaka and Iyabo Apampa, commended the initiative, describing it as a practical approach to managing internal competition.
