(By Walbe Ogak)
In a significant show of political maturity and party loyalty, former APC aspirant for the Pankshin North State House of Assembly constituency, Hon. Bldr. Raphael Chinkik Rume, has announced the collapse of his entire political structure in support of the party's flag bearer, Hon. Rotshak Gideon Yokden, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rume, who contested the APC primary election for the Pankshin North constituency seat, said although the outcome did not favour him, he had accepted the result in good faith, attributing the development to God's will.
For Rume, however, the conclusion of the primary election should not mark the end of political engagement within the party, but rather the beginning of a broader effort to consolidate the APC and position it for victory at the polls.
In a message to his supporters, coordinators, party leaders and constituents across the ten wards of Pankshin North, the former aspirant said politics should transcend personal ambition and remain firmly rooted in service, sacrifice, progress and the collective interest of the people.
“Politics is not just about personal ambition. It is about service, progress, and the future of our people,” Rume stated.
The decision to throw his weight behind Yokden, he explained, followed deep reflection and consultations with stakeholders, supporters and members of his political family.
He said the move was motivated by the need to promote unity, progress and sportsmanship within the APC, stressing that the party's strength lies in its ability to accommodate divergent interests while working towards a common objective.
A Message to His Political Structure
Addressing his supporters and coordinators across the ten wards, Rume urged them to redirect the energy and organisational capacity built during his campaign toward ensuring victory for the APC candidate.
He reminded them that they supported his aspiration because of their belief in integrity, capacity, competence and purposeful leadership, urging them to demonstrate those same values by placing the larger interest of Pankshin North above individual political ambitions.
“Let history record that we were not selfish, but patriotic,” he declared.
The statement is particularly significant coming from a politician who had built a considerable grassroots structure during the contest for the APC ticket.
Rather than allow the outcome of the primary to become a source of division, Rume has chosen to consolidate his supporters behind the party's candidate, presenting his decision as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to the larger APC family.
Beyond Personal Ambition
The development also highlights the growing importance of post-primary reconciliation as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
For the APC in Pankshin North, bringing together different aspirants, supporters and grassroots structures could prove crucial to its electoral prospects.
Rume's appeal therefore goes beyond his personal supporters. It is a call for members of the party to close ranks, reconcile differences and work collectively toward a common political objective.
He urged his supporters to remain committed to the party and work for a convincing APC victory in Pankshin North.
“Let us do this together. Let us deliver Pankshin North for APC,” he said.
The former aspirant concluded by calling for continued unity and dedication among party members, while expressing confidence that a united APC would be better positioned to achieve victory.
For Rume, the message is clear: political ambition may produce contestants, but only unity, discipline and collective purpose can produce victory.
And in Pankshin North, he is asking his political family to make that transition—from campaign structures built around an individual aspiration to a collective movement for the APC.
Hon. Bldr. Raphael Chinkik Rume, MNIOB, FNIOBMFM, F-IMCN, CPM, CFM, CIPSMN, is a former APC aspirant for the Pankshin North State House of Assembly Constituency.
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