The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has appealed for calm among its members following the successful conduct of its National Assembly and House of Assembly primary elections held across the state.
In a statement issued by Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC Chairman, on Sunday, the party congratulated all successful candidates, other aspirants, party members, and supporters for their roles in the exercise, describing the process as peaceful and orderly.
The party noted that elections are inherently competitive, stating that “any election is a competition for interests and opportunities where it is constitutional for each of the aspirants to be the first among equals.”
It added that such contests often generate tension, explaining that “there seems to be unease at any period of all manners of elections worldwide due to the nature of political competition.”
The party commended aspirants who did not emerge victorious for their conduct, adding that it appreciated their spirit of sportsmanship throughout the process.
It stated that those who lost should “take solace in the fact that an election of any type, like an examination, may not always be the best form of assessing the superiority of any student or candidate over their peers.”
According to the statement, “the emergence of winners was inevitable. In a contest, it is necessary and compulsory that a winner must emerge.”
The party, while urging successful candidates to use their victories to strengthen unity, described their mandate as “a potent political tool to consolidate the oneness of the party ahead of future elections.”
It also cautioned members against actions capable of undermining party cohesion, stressing “the supremacy of the party in all their endeavours” and warning against disparaging the party or its leadership.
The statement called on members to reflect on their actions, urging them to avoid conduct “which would not, in any way, add quality to the collective chances of winning the forthcoming elections.”
The party emphasised that “there’s no winner and no vanquished in the primaries. Both the party and the people of the state were the overall beneficiaries of the exercise.”
It also appealed to aspirants and candidates to caution their supporters, particularly on social media, to desist from making inflammatory comments capable of causing division.
While appreciating party leaders, executives, and supporters for their contributions, the Osun APC urged unity ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.