The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has stressed the need for unity among members of the party in Oyo State, saying reconciliation remains crucial to its chances of reclaiming the state in the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan during a reconciliation visit to the state, where he met with party leaders, stakeholders and members of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee.
Describing the APC as a family, the national chairman said disagreements among members were normal but should not be allowed to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are a family. It is normal for children of the same family to have some little difficulties. But we are happy that the party is still stable,” Yilwatda said.
He said the fresh reconciliation process was aimed at addressing grievances, rebuilding trust among members and strengthening the party’s structure ahead of the elections.
On the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Yilwatda said the APC had not taken an official position on the outcome, explaining that the National Working Committee would review the election with the party’s candidate and other stakeholders before taking a position.
“We have not sat down as a party to take a position. A position as a party will involve the National Working Committee inviting candidates and taking a review of what happened in Osun State,” he said.
Yilwatda, however, described the election as a learning experience for the party, stressing the importance of political maturity and sportsmanship.
Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said the committee was working to resolve grievances arising from the party’s recent primaries.
Lanlehin acknowledged that some members were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries, but said the party must put its differences aside to pursue a common objective.
“Nothing beats unity. Nothing beats working together. Nothing beats the strength of the party as put forward by all the members of the party,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the APC could reclaim Oyo State in 2027, urging party leaders, aspirants and members to support the reconciliation process.
“We have been out of government for eight years. I assure you that members of this party don’t want to be out of government any extra day,” Lanlehin said.
