-
As Party Vows to Take Over State
- Safiu Kehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted focus from its humbling defeat at the 2026 Osun Governorship Election to Oyo State as the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, sought unity and reconciliation with aggrieved governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 Gubernatorial Election in the state.
Yilwatda said that the party is handling the grievances of the aggrieved governorship candidates in Oyo State, which included former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, as a family matter.
The APC leader stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan during a meeting with party stakeholders where a report of the reconciliation committee formed after the party’s primaries was submitted.
He noted that disagreements among members are normal in politics.
When asked if the APC had officially accepted the Osun election outcome, Yilwatda explained that no official position has been taken yet, as any final decision requires a formal review involving the National Working Committee and the candidate.
“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.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee in Oyo State, Senator Olufemi Lanleyin, emphasised that the party must go into the 2027 elections united in order to reclaim power in the state.
Lanleyin acknowledged that while some members were disappointed with the primary outcomes, the party retains the strength, will, and capacity to unite.
He said that the committee is meeting with aggrieved aspirants to present their grievances to the national leadership for resolution.
On the lesson from Osun, Lanleyin noted that unity determines electoral success, promising that the committee will continue its work until election day.
“The party is making headway in its efforts to reconcile the aggrieved members before the conduct of the 2027 elections.
“The committee had met with all the aggrieved aspirants and the findings have been presented to the national chairman.
“We just came out of the primaries, and some people are not happy with the outcome. They expressed their disappointment. They were aggrieved. We have presented our findings to the national chairman of our party to act on it,” he explained.
Lanleyin expressed absolute confidence that the APC will sweep Oyo State in 2027, winning the presidency, governorship, three senatorial seats, 14 federal constituencies, and 32 House of Assembly seats.
“We cannot afford to lose the 2027 election to any opposition parties in Oyo State.
“I am assuring you that we will win all the elective positions at all levels in 2027 in Oyo State,” he said.
The APC chieftain appealed to leaders and stakeholders to embrace unity because members do not want to remain out of government for another day.
He added that the party would not take anything for granted and would continue the reconciliation process until the election day.