By The Asudemade Perspective

The National Assembly Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called for greater unity, internal democracy, fairness and inclusion within the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The committee, chaired by Chief Akin Oke and co-chaired by Prince Niran Adeyoju, made the call while presenting its observations and recommendations following reconciliation meetings held across the various 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 identify ways of rebuilding trust and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the committee, the exercise was conducted with “fearlessness, openness, mutual respect, fairness and sincerity of purpose,” with stakeholders given the opportunity to freely express their concerns, grievances, expectations and recommendations.

The committee said it was particularly encouraged by what it described as the “tremendous and remarkable demonstration of loyalty” to the APC across Oyo State, noting that despite grievances surrounding the primaries, stakeholders remained committed to preserving the unity and electoral viability of the party.

Call for Institutionalised Rotation

One of the major recommendations of the committee was the formal institutionalisation of rotational candidacy in areas where zoning and rotation arrangements already exist.

The committee said stakeholders overwhelmingly advocated for the documentation and strict implementation of such arrangements as official party policy.

According to the committee, institutionalising rotation would promote fairness, equity and inclusiveness while reducing avoidable tensions and disagreements during subsequent electoral cycles.

The recommendation is significant against the backdrop of recurring disagreements over zoning and political succession within parties, particularly at the grassroots and constituency levels.

The committee maintained that a clearly defined and respected rotational arrangement could provide stakeholders with greater certainty and help build mutual trust among competing interests.

Transparency in Candidate Selection

The committee also called for greater transparency and democratic participation in the emergence of APC candidates.

It said stakeholders appealed that candidates should emerge through credible and democratic primary elections in line with what it described as the progressive ideals and traditions of the APC.

It further recommended adequate consultation with party leaders, stakeholders and aspirants before primaries, arguing that broader consultation would enhance the acceptability of candidates and reduce post-primary resentment.

The committee’s position suggests that the process leading to the emergence of candidates is as important as the eventual candidates themselves, particularly in a political environment where internal disagreements can affect a party’s performance at the general election.

Committee Seeks Inclusion of Aspirants

Another major issue addressed by the committee was the fate of aspirants who failed to secure party tickets after investing substantial resources, time and political capital in the electoral process.

The committee appealed to the APC leadership not to abandon such aspirants after the conclusion of primaries.

It recommended that deserving and committed aspirants be considered for political appointments, campaign responsibilities, advisory positions, party assignments and other strategic roles.

Such an approach, the committee argued, would demonstrate that loyalty, sacrifice and commitment to the party are recognised and rewarded.

The recommendation also reflects an understanding of a recurring challenge within political parties: the tendency for political engagement to become heavily candidate-centred during primaries, only for unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters to become marginalised afterwards.

‘No Committed Member Should Feel Forgotten’

The committee further called for sustained engagement among candidates, elected officials and party leaders at all levels.

It said continuous engagement would promote confidence, accountability, inclusion and unity within the APC.

It also advocated what it described as a credible 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.

For the committee, political reconciliation should therefore go beyond settling immediate disagreements. It should also address the broader question of how party members who contribute to the organisation’s growth are recognised and integrated into its future activities.

Reconciliation Must Be Continuous

The committee rejected the idea that reconciliation should end with the current exercise.

It recommended that reconciliation should become a continuous and institutionalised process involving aspirants, candidates, party executives, elders, delegates, elected officials and grassroots leaders.

According to the committee, deliberate efforts must continually be made to rebuild trust, address genuine grievances, restore confidence and strengthen relationships among party 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 also urged party leaders and members to uphold transparency, fairness, consultation and responsible party management, describing these principles as central to the ideals of the progressive movement.

APC Targets 2027 Victory

The reconciliation committee expressed confidence that the party could emerge stronger from the process if members placed the collective interest of the APC above individual differences.

It said its engagements across the state had demonstrated a prevailing determination among stakeholders to keep the party united and competitive.

The committee consequently declared that the APC was now “stronger, united and better coordinated,” with renewed determination to pursue electoral victory in the 2027 elections.

It specifically expressed confidence in the party’s ability to deliver victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State’s governorship candidate, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, as well as the party’s candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly.

The committee’s message was ultimately anchored on a simple political proposition: that the road to electoral victory cannot be separated from the management of the party’s internal relationships.

Its concluding appeal was therefore for members to embrace genuine reconciliation and work collectively towards building a stronger and more united APC in Oyo State.

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

The statement was signed by the Chairman of the National Assembly Reconciliation Committee, Chief Akin Oke; Co-Chairman, Prince Niran Adeyoju; and Secretary, Alhaji Yinka Folarin.

The Asudemade Perspective