-
Calls for Fairness, Sportsmanship
- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has called for fairness and sportsmanship at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
Ahead of the primaries set to commence tomorrow, Tinubu charged the aspirants to embrace sportsmanship.
The President gave the charge in a statement issued on Thursday.
While acknowledging the adoption of consensus candidacy by some quarters, Tinubu however sued seamless conduct of the election which kicks off with the House of Representatives primaries.
“The primary elections, kicking off with those for House of Representatives aspirants tomorrow and culminating in the presidential primaries on May 25, 2026, are not mere exercises to produce our standard bearers.
“They are a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party. They present an opportunity to renew the bond and ideals that we share.
“I am aware that, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2026) and our party’s constitution, leaders at various levels have initiated conversations to produce consensus candidates.
“It is a commendable option that would help in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members.
“I note the impressive progress made in this regard and encourage fellow party members to make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party.” He said.
In cases where consensus fails, Tinubu charged the aspirants to go for direct primaries but do so with sportsmanship.
He urged eventual winners of the primaries to maimtain decency while losers are to accept the defeat in good faith.
“Election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters.
“All participants in the primaries, as contestants or voters, must keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country.
“We cannot afford rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity. In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser.
“I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time.
“The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round. Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them.” He said.
Tinubu further warned against playing what he labelled politics of old.
He held that politics is not a do-or-die while urging prospective winners and party leaders to seek meet with the losers.
For those who may be disatisfied with the results, the President urged them to seek redress to the appopriate channel.
“Winners and party leaders at all levels should reach out to those who did not succeed with olive branches. We should not play the politics of old; the do-or-die politics that we have put behind us. Politics should never be a zero-sum game.
“Any candidate that wins does so for all of us as a party. Those who lost out have the opportunity to appeal to the party’s committees set up for redress.” He said.
Tinubu urged party leaders to ensure fairness in the conduct.
He called for a level playing field for all aspirants while also appealing for special consideration of women and youth in the contest.
“To the party leadership, our governors, and other leaders, I urge you to be fair and just. You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field that guarantees participation without let or hindrance.
“While only one person will win for every seat contested, we should give eventual losers the satisfaction of a fair contest.
“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest.
“We cannot afford to relegate the two significant demographics of our population.” The President said.
He also the Police and other security agencies to remain professional and avoid acting as interlopers during the exercise.
“Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more.
“I wish all our aspirants and party members good luck and a successful outing.
“I look forward to working with the victorious aspirants for the success of our great party in the general election.” Tinubu added.