The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to resolve differences among aspirants who contested its recently concluded House of Assembly primary election, urging members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s reconciliation efforts were disclosed on Sunday at a stakeholders’ and press conference meeting in Oyo State, where the Oyo State APC House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee presented its report on the outcome of engagements with the aspirants and other stakeholders.
The committee said it had made substantial progress in resolving grievances arising from the primary election after engaging aspirants who purchased nomination forms, other interested party members and stakeholders.
The communiqué, read by the committee’s Co-Chairman, Aare Bisoye Fagade, said the majority of the aspirants had demonstrated maturity and sportsmanship by agreeing to work together for the progress of the party.
The Chairman/Co-Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Mufutau Adisa, was also present at the stakeholders’ meeting, alongside other members of the reconciliation committee.
According to the committee, the reconciled aspirants also pledged to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu and the APC candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly in the 2027 elections.
The committee said, “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.
“They have expressed their readiness to work harmoniously with one another and with the leadership of the party towards securing electoral victory for the APC in Oyo State in the 2027 general elections.”
It commended the aspirants for placing the collective interest of the party above their individual ambitions and urged other members and stakeholders to embrace the same spirit.
The committee further called on party leaders, members and supporters across the state to shun divisive tendencies and work collectively towards strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking on behalf of the reconciled aspirants, AbdulRamon Olaiya expressed their commitment to the unity and progress of the party, saying the aspirants were ready to put their individual interests aside and work together for the success of the APC.
Olaiya said the reconciliation process had provided an opportunity for the aspirants to resolve their differences and refocus their attention on the larger objective of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He assured the party leadership that the aspirants would support the party’s candidates and work collectively to secure victory for the APC across the state.
Speaking at the event, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, assured the aspirants that their efforts and contributions to the party would not be in vain.
Alli promised that his administration, if elected, would operate an inclusive government in which party members would be carried along.
He said, “You are all going to be carried along in our activities. Let’s work in unity and ensure that we get to power in the 2027 election.”
Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the Oyo APC Gubernatorial Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, emphasised the importance of reconciliation and unity among party members.
Lanlehin urged the aspirants and other stakeholders to put their differences behind them and focus on building a stronger APC capable of winning the 2027 elections.
The other Co-Chairman of the gubernatorial reconciliation committee, Prof. Taoreed Adedoja, also stressed the need for unity, calling on members to work together in the collective interest of the party.
The House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee, led by Alhaji Mufutau Adisa, included Aare Bisoye Fagade as Co-Chairman and Barrister Dr Rotimi Okeowo as Secretary, alongside Mrs Mabel Williams, Pa Sule Ajibade, Hon. Ramota Okemakinde, Hon. Raji Rasaki, Hon. Obatunde Oladapo, Hon. Kehinde Oloya, Hon. Segun Ajanaku, Hon. Shakiru Fagunwa and Dr Gafar Salawudeen.
The committee said its reconciliation effort involved aspirants across the 32 State House of Assembly constituencies in Oyo State, expressing confidence that the renewed cooperation would contribute to the party’s electoral success in 2027.
