The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has reconciled most of the aspirants who contested its recent House of Assembly primary election, with the affected aspirants pledging to work for the party’s success in the 32 state constituencies in the 2027 elections.
The reconciliation is expected to strengthen unity within the party following protests and grievances over the conduct and outcome of the primary election.
In a communique issued at the end of the reconciliation meetings, the Oyo State APC House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee said substantial progress had been made in resolving the grievances arising from the exercise.
The communique was signed by the committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Mufitau Adisa Gbayawu; Co-Chairman, Bisoye Fagade; and Secretary, Barrister Dr Rotimi Okeowo.
The committee said it had engaged aspirants who purchased nomination forms, as well as other stakeholders and party members who expressed concerns about the electoral process.
According to the committee, the engagements were conducted in the spirit of “reconciliation, unity, mutual understanding and the collective interest” of the party.
“The Committee is pleased to report that the majority of the aspirants who participated in the primary election, including those who purchased nomination forms and those who did not, have demonstrated commendable sportsmanship, maturity and commitment to the unity of the Party,” the communique stated.
The reconciled aspirants also pledged to work with the party leadership towards securing victory for the APC in 2027.
They further expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and APC candidates contesting Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly seats.
“In furtherance of this commitment, the reconciled aspirants pledged their support for the re-election of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the election of the APC candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and the Oyo State House of Assembly,” the committee said.
The committee urged party leaders, members and supporters to sustain the reconciliation process and avoid actions capable of reopening divisions.
“The Committee further calls on all members, leaders, stakeholders and supporters of the APC in Oyo State to embrace the spirit of reconciliation, eschew divisive tendencies and work collectively towards building a stronger, more united and electorally formidable Party,” it said.
Gbayawu said the committee had met the aggrieved aspirants individually to hear their complaints.
“During our interaction with the aspirants in their respective areas, they made known their grievances which formed the basis for the protest,” he said.
He added: “The leadership of the APC respects the rights of not only the aspirants but the members as well, hence the reason for setting up the Reconciliation Committees to pacify those members whose feelings have been injured.”
Gbayawu thanked the aspirants for putting the collective interest of the party ahead of their personal ambitions.
“We thank the aggrieved aspirants and members for their resolve to drop their personal ambitions and work for the collective interest of the party in the 2027 election,” he said.
The Oyo State APC Gubernatorial Reconciliation Committee also participated in the process.
Its Co-Chairman, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, appealed for continued unity, saying he understood the frustrations of aspirants because of his own experience of winning and losing elections.
“I have won and lost elections for elective political offices in the past. I know what it takes. I feel your pains, but you have taken the rightful decision to work for the interest of the party,” Lanlehin said.
His fellow Co-Chairman, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, also commended the aspirants for agreeing to work with the party leadership.
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, welcomed the reconciliation and said unity was essential to the party’s chances in 2027.
Alli promised to work with all stakeholders if elected governor and pledged to implement local government fiscal autonomy in the state.
The reconciliation committee expressed confidence that the renewed cooperation would strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects.
“Together, with unity of purpose and commitment, we can secure a resounding victory for the APC in Oyo State in 2027,” it declared.
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