An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Comrade Sunday Akintunde, has admonished President Bola Tinubu to save the party and the nation’s democracy.
Akintunde, who stated this against the backdrop of the recently conducted party governorship primaries in Ondo State, alleged that the exercise was a mockery of democracy.
He advised the president that all political activities under the APC-led administration must always reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In an open letter to Tinubu, Akintunde, who said he was an independent observer, alleged the just concluded exercise in Ondo fell short of best practices.
He, however, said the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government would be under threat, if such political infractions were allowed to fester in Nigeria.
On what transpired during the prrimaries, Akintunde said the extent to which the organisers allowed influence of money in the processes was a threat to the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration.
“Nigerians see the APC as a beacon of hope and President Tinubu as a true Democrat who is ready to right the wrongs in the nation’s democratic processes.
“However, I was an independent observer in the just concluded 2024 Ondo state primary election. I was saddened and bitter that APC primary election was not conducted in wards and local governments of Ondo state, having gone rounds independently but I was flagger basted that figures were hatched and cook to favour the incumbent governor whereby election was not conducted.
“The collation centre was under lock and keys, the election materials were not made available to the aspirants’ agents throughout the 20th and 21st of April, 2024 but figures were cooked and announced.
“Your Excellency Sir, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I have been your admirer, loyalist and political follower since 1999 from Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria to All Progressives Congress in Lagos state. I was one the loyal party members that campaigned for you vigorously during your gubernatorial election of Lagos State in 1999 and the presidential election without any self-interest or waiting to have anything in return, either financial or non-financial. My passion for politics as an activist is to engineer conformity, accountability, inclusiveness and corrupt free political parties in Nigeria, with system that works in the interest of the party members and that of the country.
“However, at the peak of 2023 election I can say categorically that, most of my friends and associates became my enemies because of the undiluted, love and believe I have in Tinubu, that when you become the President of Nigeria, you will take Nigeria to the promised land as exemplified with your excellent performance as governor of Lagos state for 8 years. It is on record that you left a workable and developmental blue print in Lagos. You are also doing your best to revamp the nation’s ailing economy in less than a year in office as President,” the letter read in part.
He advised the president to ensure APC members saddled with sensitive party responsibilities are of proven integrity.
“Nigeria has a lot of natural and human resources that can transform our country to a greater height and compete comfortably among emerging economy nations if we get it right from our political ideology. Our national secretariat saddled with the responsibility of conducting our primary elections are polluted with money bags politicians bent on writing election figures to the highest bidders. It is high time sir, your Excellency, to intervene before it is too late.
“As politicians, our focus is 2027 for our party but unpopular candidates at state level will not work for the progress of our party because money doesn’t always work for the success of the election as seen in the 2023 election but popular candidates win elections.
“As a matter of urgency, our party should stop putting square pegs in round holes and ensure performers and quality aspirants emerge as our party candidates not money bag politicians. God bless APC, God bless our President and God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria.”