The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has brokered peace among aspirants who contested its State House of Assembly primaries across the 32 constituencies, with the stakeholders resolving to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move followed grievances and protests by some aspirants over the conduct and outcome of the party’s primary elections.
To address the concerns, the party constituted reconciliation committees, including the Oyo State House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee headed by Alhaji Mufitau Adisa Gbayawu.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting and press conference at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, on Sunday, Gbayawu said the committee had successfully engaged the aggrieved aspirants individually and created an avenue for them to air their grievances.
He said the engagements had produced positive results, with the aspirants agreeing to accept the outcome of the primaries and work collectively for the success of the APC.
Gbayawu said while members had the right to protest perceived irregularities, the overall interest and unity of the party should take precedence over individual 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 committee’s co-chairman, Aare Bisoye Fagade, who presented the communiqué from the reconciliation meetings, said the process was fruitful.
Fagade said the aspirants demonstrated maturity, sportsmanship and commitment to party unity, adding that they had pledged to work with one another and the party leadership towards securing victory for the APC in 2027.
He said the reconciled aspirants also pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and APC candidates contesting Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats.
The committee urged APC leaders, members and supporters across the state to sustain the reconciliation process and shun actions capable of weakening the party ahead of the elections.
Also speaking, the co-chairman of the Oyo State Gubernatorial Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said political contests naturally produce winners and losers, urging the aspirants to accept the outcome and work for the party.
“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, commended the aspirants for embracing reconciliation.
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also applauded the development, promising to work with all members of the party if elected governor in 2027.
Alli further pledged to support the implementation of local government fiscal autonomy in the state.