By Our Correspondent

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has lauded the ongoing efforts by the political leaders of the South West, Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola, Ahmed Tinubu among others to establish unity and reconcile all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and called on all party stakeholders to hold to the promise of a stronger APC which he says is able to reposition Oyo in the regional and federal political spectrum as a pace setter among the various states.

He stated this in a new year address to party stakeholders in the Oyo state. “We must as a party move on from past setbacks and disappointments so that we may affix our eye on a brighter future for the party and the state. Let us heed the calls of our leaders to come together, work together, mobilize and strategize together. As it is now, we all must take a clear stand. The days for petty calculations are over. You are either in or outside the party. One cannot claim to be inside the party and fail to align with all efforts to resolve the issues that have arisen to affect the operations of our party,” he charged.  

While adding that the strength of the APC in the state has never been in doubt, he called on party stakeholders to work in order to make the party stronger. “We must must act with greater cohesion and strength of purpose. We must build on the developmental legacy established by former Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Eight years of infrastructural improvement and urban renewal opened up Oyo to a new vista of development and changed the face of the state for the better.

“Oyo today has been placed on the path of modernity. No matter what detractors say, we have a track record of achievement that this state has not before experienced. Instead of being stymied by small differences let us use the progress made to compel us ever forward.”

In order to achieve these, he said, “we must discard political lethargy and  and unite to reposition Oyo state. As pacesetters it is time to not let anyone other than our own speak for us or lead us”. 

“Join me in doing what is necessary to see that Oyo state takes its rightful place nationally. The year 2020 offers us this opportunity. We would be wise to not let it pass but to seize it,” the Minister said.