By Adeola Badru
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has reconciled most aspirants who contested its recent House of Assembly primary election, with the aspirants pledging to work for the party’s success across the state’s 32 constituencies in the 2027 general elections.
The development is being seen as a significant step towards rebuilding cohesion within the party ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly after protests and grievances reportedly followed the conduct and outcome of the House of Assembly primary that produced the party’s candidates for the election.
In a communique issued on Sunday at the end of the reconciliation meetings by the Chairman, Oyo State APC House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee, Alhaji Mufitau Adisa Gbayawu, Co-Chairman, Bisoye Fagade, and Secretary, Barr. Dr Rotimi Okeowo, the party noted that: “Substantial progress has been made in resolving the issues and grievances arising from the exercise.”
The committee disclosed that it had engaged extensively with aspirants who purchased nomination forms, as well as other stakeholders and party members who expressed interest in the electoral process, stressing that the engagements were undertaken in the spirit of “reconciliation, unity, mutual understanding and the collective interest” of the APC in Oyo State.
According to the committee, the outcome of the engagements showed that most aspirants demonstrated maturity and sportsmanship by choosing the party’s larger interest over their individual political ambitions.
“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.
It added that the reconciled aspirants had “expressed their readiness to work harmoniously with one another and with the leadership of the Party towards securing electoral victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections”.
The committee further revealed that the reconciled aspirants had pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the election of APC candidates contesting the Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly elections.
“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,” it said.
The committee particularly commended the aspirants for placing the collective interest of the APC above individual ambitions, describing their decision as a demonstration of commitment to strengthening the party across the state.
It also called on APC leaders, members, stakeholders, and supporters to sustain the reconciliation process and avoid actions that could reopen divisions within the party.
“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.
Earlier, Gbayawu explained that the reconciliation committee had met with the aggrieved aspirants one-on-one to allow them to present their grievances and concerns over the primary election.
He acknowledged the right of party members and aspirants to express dissatisfaction with aspects of the electoral process, but maintained that such grievances should ultimately give way to the party’s larger interest.
“During our interaction with the aspirants in their respective areas, they made known their grievances which formed the basis for the protest,” Gbayawu 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.”
The committee chairman thanked the aspirants for their willingness to move beyond their individual interests and support the party’s collective objective ahead of 2027.
“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.
Presenting the outcome of the reconciliation exercise, Fagade described the process as fruitful, stressing that the willingness of the aspirants to collaborate with the party leadership had created a stronger foundation for electoral mobilisation.
The Oyo State APC Gubernatorial Reconciliation Committee also joined the reconciliation effort, with its Co-Chairman, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, appealing for continued unity among members.
Lanlehin, who spoke from his experience of contesting and losing elections, said he understood the aspirants’ frustrations but praised them for choosing the party’s interest over personal grievances.
“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,” he said.
His fellow Co-Chairman, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, also commended the aspirants for deciding to collaborate with the party leadership towards ensuring electoral success for the APC.
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, equally welcomed the reconciliation, describing the decision of the aspirants to work together as necessary for the party’s success in 2027.
Alli assured party members that, if elected governor of the state on May 29, 2027, he would work with all stakeholders and promised to implement local government fiscal autonomy in Oyo State.
The reconciliation comes against the backdrop of other efforts by prominent APC figures to prevent internal disagreements from affecting the party’s preparations for 2027.
The committee expressed confidence that the renewed cooperation among the aspirants and other stakeholders would significantly improve the party’s chances at the polls.
“Together, with unity of purpose and commitment, we can secure a resounding victory for the APC in Oyo State in 2027,” the committee declared.
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