Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has urged the newly elected presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, to reconcile with aggrieved APC members, saying the party has a big task ahead.

Akeredolu, who congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as the APC’s flag bearer for the 2023 general election, enjoined the party’s chieftain to “galvanize supports and calm frayed nerves”.

The governor said the reconciliation process must commence immediately, noting that time has come for the party to be united for victory in the 2023 polls.

Governor Akeredolu said these in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Wednesday.

Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum, said: “I congratulate our great party on the conduct of a successful primary election. I am particularly happy that our party displayed total commitment to the ethos of democracy and embraced the path of fairness and equity.

“The contest was a brotherly scramble. The aspirants, and leaders of our great party must now leverage on our political strength to build the party and reposition it for even greater victory.

“We must identify and underscore our challenges for the greater good of the people. The time for strives is beneath us. As the dust settles, we must form a common front and understand that victory at the general election is our collective target.

“It is time to justify our zeal and passion for the party. The instruments of the party must be fully deployed for the rescue mission of the nation. Let us expend our strength and reach to replete the party with brighter prospects. Ours is to plough not to plunder.

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“Our struggle for the service of the people must reflect in our support and incurable commitment to unity geared towards the good of the people and the country at large.

“I congratulate our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for clinching the ticket of our party. As a leader of the party, it is time to galvanize supports and calm frayed nerves. The reconciliation process must start immediately. The time has come to be united for victory.

“We have a big task ahead. Let us put the past behind us for the greater objective to oil the wheel of peace, progress and unity in our party. We must all win together.

“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari(GCFR), the patriotic 13 Governors from the Northern Region (P13), our great brothers who stepped down for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indomitable members of the National Working Committee of our party, who have worked tirelessly to put this party on the path of democratic values. May Fair winds continue to push our sail forward,” the statement read.

Tinubu polled 1,271 votes out of the 2,303 accredited delegates to emerge as the ruling party’s presidential candidate

The governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who is the Chairman of the Election Planning Committee, declared the former governor of Lagos State as the winner of the APC presidential primaries held at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Tinubu’s distanced rival and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, secured 316 votes to come second.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes, while Senate President Ahmad Lawan came fourth with 152 votes.

The Star