Oyo APC Crisis: National Assembly Reconciliation Committee Cries for Unity Ahead of 2027

…As Committee recommends transparent primaries, zoning and inclusion of aspirants who lost party primaries

The Oyo State National Assembly Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for greater unity, internal democracy, fairness and inclusion within the party, saying these are critical to its prospects in the 2027 general elections.

The committee, chaired by Chief Akin Oke and co-chaired by Prince Niran Adeyoju, made the call after concluding reconciliation meetings across the Federal Constituencies and Senatorial Districts in the state.

The meetings brought together party leaders, aspirants, delegates, elders, stakeholders and other members of the APC to deliberate on grievances arising from the recently concluded party primaries and explore ways of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued after the exercise, the committee said the consultations provided stakeholders with an opportunity to freely express their concerns, grievances, expectations and recommendations on the future of the party.

It said it was particularly encouraged by what it described as the strong loyalty of party members to the APC across the state, noting that despite disagreements generated by the primaries, stakeholders demonstrated a collective commitment to preserving the unity of the party and working towards electoral success.

Among its major recommendations, the committee called for the institutionalisation of rotational candidacy in local governments and political zones where established zoning arrangements exist.

According to the committee, such arrangements should be properly documented and adopted as official party policy to promote fairness, equity and inclusiveness, while reducing tensions during subsequent electoral cycles.

The committee also urged the party to ensure that candidates emerge through transparent, credible and democratic primaries.

It stressed the need for wider consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and aspirants before primary elections, arguing that this would enhance the acceptability of candidates and strengthen cohesion within the party.

On the fate of aspirants who lost in the primaries, the committee appealed to the party leadership not to abandon members who had made significant sacrifices for the organisation.

It recommended that deserving aspirants be considered for political appointments, campaign responsibilities, advisory roles, party assignments and other strategic positions, both within the party and in government.

The committee said recognising loyalty, sacrifice and commitment would help rebuild confidence among members and encourage greater participation in future party activities.

It equally called for sustained engagement among candidates, elected officials and party leaders at all levels, advocating a reward system based on commitment, loyalty, competence, political inclusion and recognition.

“No committed party member should feel forgotten or excluded after contributing to the growth and success of the organisation,” the committee stated.

The committee further urged party leaders and executives to uphold transparency, fairness, consultation and responsible management, stressing that the strength of the APC depended largely on its ability to function as an inclusive political family.

It also recommended that reconciliation should be made a continuous process rather than a one-off exercise.

The committee said future reconciliation efforts should involve aspirants, candidates, party executives, elders, delegates, elected officials and grassroots leaders, with deliberate measures to rebuild trust, address genuine grievances and restore confidence among members.

“The objective is not merely to resolve the disagreements arising from the last primaries, but to build a stronger, more united and more inclusive APC capable of delivering electoral victory in 2027 and beyond,” it said.

The committee expressed appreciation to party leaders, aspirants, delegates, elders and stakeholders who participated in the reconciliation meetings, describing their willingness to engage as a demonstration of commitment to the party.

It maintained that reconciliation, inclusion, fairness and internal democracy should be regarded as the foundations of a strong and competitive political organisation.

The committee subsequently urged members to place the collective interest of the party above individual differences and work towards a united APC in Oyo State.

It expressed confidence that the reconciliation exercise had strengthened coordination within the party and renewed its determination to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

The committee also pledged its support for the presidential re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the APC gubernatorial candidate, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali, alongside the party’s candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.

“The journey to victory in 2027 must begin with unity today,” the committee declared.

The statement was signed by Chief Akin Oke, Chairman; Prince Niran Adeyoju, Co-Chairman; and Alhaji Yinka Folarin, Secretary.