Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has charged leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta South Senatorial District to close ranks, return to the grassroots and mobilise overwhelming votes for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Joel-Onowakpo, who spoke at the APC Delta South Senatorial District meeting in Warri on Thursday, said the party could not afford division or complacency if it was serious about winning the forthcoming elections.
He said the task before APC leaders and members was clear: “victory”, stressing that the party must translate the support and confidence of the people into actual votes at the polling units.
According to him, APC leaders must immediately return to their wards, units and communities, engage the electorate and strengthen the party’s grassroots structures.
“Nobody needs to tell us what the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been doing in the country. Nobody also needs to tell us what our government and our leaders are doing. We know the facts, and our people are watching,” he said.
The senator urged party candidates to remain committed to the party and work collectively with its leaders, warning that internal divisions could undermine the party’s chances at the polls.
“We cannot afford division. We cannot afford complacency. The time has come for all of us to work together and ensure that every candidate of our party receives the support necessary to win,” Joel-Onowakpo said.
He charged APC leaders in Delta South, including those working with the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the party chairman and other stakeholders, to take the battle to the grassroots and ensure that the party delivers its various constituencies.
“We must go into the field, engage our people and leave no room for opposition to take advantage of our weaknesses,” he said.
Joel-Onowakpo said the objective was not merely to participate in the 2027 elections but to secure an “overwhelming” victory for APC candidates across the senatorial district.
He acknowledged the progress already made by the party but insisted that more work was required, particularly in strengthening party structures and maintaining unity among leaders and members.
“Our people expect results from us, and we must not disappoint them,” he said.
The senator therefore called on APC members to return to their communities and commence aggressive mobilisation, saying the party’s victory would depend on its ability to convert popular support into votes.
“This is not the time for complacency. It is the time for hard work, mobilisation and unity. If we remain together and work collectively, there is no doubt that we can achieve victory,” Joel-Onowakpo declared.
