May 19, (THEWILL) — The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for healing and reconciliation within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State following the conclusion of the party’s senatorial primaries, urging defeated aspirants to accept the outcome of the exercise and work with the winners ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Keyamo said the time had come for party members to close ranks and unite for the success of the APC, stressing that those who lost the primaries should embrace the victorious candidates in the interest of party unity.
“Now is a time for healing and reconciliation. I urge all those who have lost gallantly to take it on their chin and embrace the victors for the unity of the party and ultimately for the victory of all our candidates at the general elections next year”, he stated.
The minister also congratulated former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who emerged winner of the Delta North senatorial ticket, alongside Senator Ede Dafinone for Delta Central and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas for Delta South.
He described their victories as “fully deserved”, noting that the primaries witnessed massive participation by grassroots members of the party across various wards in the state.
According to Keyamo, the exercise reflected genuine internal democracy and demonstrated the growing maturity of the APC structure in Delta State.
“As a foundation member and leader of the APC in Delta and one of the first senatorial aspirants of the party in the state in 2013, I can state unequivocally that this is the best primaries organised by the party in the state since its inception”, he stated.
The minister advised the victorious candidates to be magnanimous in victory by accommodating their opponents and supporters within their political structures.
“There is always strength in unity”, he added.
Keyamo also commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he described as purposeful and inclusive leadership, saying the governor had created one of the most accommodating political environments in the state.
He further praised President Bola Tinubu for promoting internal democracy within the APC and allowing a free and fair process nationwide.
The minister also criticised politicians who allegedly relied on influence from Abuja to secure party tickets without engaging local party leaders and grassroots members.
“Those who ignored local and grassroots leaders and neither lobbied nor consulted them, but sought to get tickets from Abuja to impose themselves on the people, have now been brought down from their high horses,” he declared.
Keyamo maintained that the APC remained united and optimistic ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the ruling party would secure victory across the country.
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