The Ondo APC has praised Southern Senatorial aspirant Mathew Oyerinmade for formally declaring his bid at the party secretariat, while doubling down on consensus as its first choice for picking candidates.
State Chairman Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, who received Oyerinmade in Akure, said the visit showed “political maturity and deep-rooted commitment to party ideals,” even though aspirants aren’t required to report to the secretariat.
Babatunde described Oyerinmade as a “credible and longstanding progressive” with a solid record in the state chapter.
On the path to the ticket, the chairman was blunt: consensus is APC’s preferred mode if leaders and stakeholders agree. Where consensus is reached, all aspirants are expected to “abide by the decision in the interest of party unity.” No consensus? Then it’s a direct primary.
He urged aspirants to show “patience, maturity, and sportsmanship” if consensus doesn’t favour them, citing his own case.
Babatunde recalled missing out on a National Assembly return under a past consensus deal, only to later emerge as state chairman.
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“A divine redirection,” he called it, adding he now rates the chairmanship higher.
Babatunde wished Oyerinmade success and called for unity and “healthy engagement” as consultations continue.
Speaking, Oyerinmade reaffirmed his run for the Ondo South Senate seat, branding himself a “committed party chieftain” with a consistent track record.
He shot down rumors of withdrawal as “false and unfounded.” “I remain fully in contention for the party’s ticket,” he said.
Oyerinmade said he trusts the party to deliver a level playing field and isn’t against consensus. He’ll support the outcome even if it doesn’t favor him. But he also threw a challenge: “Rather than stepping down, I am optimistic that other aspirants may, in due course, align with his ambition.”
The Ondo APC, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Hon Steve Otaloro, said it remained committed to a “transparent, inclusive, and credible process” to produce a candidate that can win the primary election.
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