The Ondo State representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Otito Atikase, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to accept the outcome of the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primary election and discourage any protest against the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision.
Atikase, in a statement on Wednesday titled “Political Loyalty: A Test of Character and Party Discipline,” said true political loyalty was measured by how politicians responded to unfavourable decisions rather than favourable ones.
The NDDC commissioner said politicians should prepare for both success and failure, noting that resilience was essential for survival in politics.
According to him, “When you anticipate success, you should also anticipate failure. Doing so equips you with the ability to manage both success and disappointment. Ultimately, this enables you to adapt to changing realities.”
He recalled that while in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he studied the party’s internal processes and contested primary elections, adding that he never lost a primary during his time in the party.
Atikase said he adopted the same approach after joining the APC but alleged that candidates in the party were often determined by the leadership.
He alleged that when he contested for the chairmanship of his local government council, Governor Aiyedatiwa and APC chieftain, Gbenga Edema, opposed his ambition.
According to him, “Eventually, without any primary election, Goke Jatuwase emerged as the party’s candidate. I accepted the outcome in good faith. In fact, I was the only aspirant who neither protested nor took the party to court.”
The commissioner further alleged that Aiyedatiwa determined the composition of the APC executive at the state, local government and ward levels during the party congresses in Ondo State.
He claimed that despite being a federal appointee from Mahin Ward 3, the governor constituted the ward executive without consulting him.
“I not only accepted his decision, but I also worked tirelessly to reconcile members of the ward in the interest of unity. Yet, despite my efforts, my supporters and I continue to face discrimination,” he stated.
Atikase also blamed alleged political exclusion for the party’s poor performance in the recent senatorial by-election, claiming that election logistics were controlled by members of one political group.
He said he was not consulted before the emergence of the APC House of Assembly candidate for Ilaje Constituency II but accepted the decision and mobilised support for the candidate.
On the National Assembly primary election, Atikase urged party members to accept the outcome in the interest of unity.
He said, “Now, the National Assembly primary election has come to a conclusion based on the fact that the party at the national level has taken a definitive position on the process. It is expected that all of us should accept that decision in good faith, just as we have consistently accepted decisions taken at the state level.”
The commissioner said the governor’s loyalty to the APC was now being tested, urging him to place the party above personal interests.
He stated, “The governor’s political loyalty is now being tested. This is the moment for him to demonstrate that his loyalty is to the party above personal or sectional interests.”
Atikase also criticised the alleged protests by some political appointees against the outcome of the primary.
He added, “Allowing his appointees to stage futile protests against the party’s decision does not strengthen his position; rather, it raises questions about his commitment to party discipline and collective leadership. They are doing him no favours.”
The NDDC commissioner maintained that political loyalty requires members to remain committed to the party and respecting its decisions even in difficult circumstances.
