Primaries: Osun APC cautions losing aspirants against anti-party comments

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Tajudeen Lawal, has cautioned aspirants who lost in the House of Representatives primaries on Saturday against speaking negatively about the party or its leadership.

Lawal gave the cautionary words in a statement he issued to newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said the negative comments made by some party members prior to the primaries made it necessary to remind them not to lose sight of the supremacy of the party in all their endeavours.

He appealed to candidates and aspirants to caution their social media handlers against posting or publishing offensive statements, comments, or messages capable of causing acrimony, division, and crisis within the party.

The chairman noted that it would not be in the interest of any member to disparage the party or its leaders over electoral losses.

“Let us engage in self-examination with a view to ending such actions and inactions, which do not in any way enhance the collective chances of our party in winning the governorship election,” he said.

Lawal described elections as a contest of interests and opportunities, and congratulated party members and their supporters who participated in the primaries.

He also commended the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by aspirants who did not emerge victorious.

The APC chairman urged them to take solace in the fact that elections, like examinations, may not always be the best measure of a candidate’s superiority over others.

“In any contest, it is necessary that a winner emerges. This explains the emergence of successful candidates as first among equals,” he said.

Lawal further appreciated party leaders, executives, and supporters for sacrificing their time, comfort, and resources to ensure the successful conduct of the primaries across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the results of the primaries had not been announced as of the time of filing this report.