The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged aggrieved aspirants, leaders and stakeholders in Oyo State to unite and work collectively towards reclaiming the state in the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda made the call on Wednesday in Ibadan during a visit to the state, where he met with party leaders, stakeholders and members of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee.
He described the APC as one family, saying disagreements among members were normal in any political organisation but should not be allowed to undermine the party’s collective interest.
“APC is 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.
The national chairman said the renewed reconciliation efforts were designed to address grievances, rebuild trust and strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged members who felt aggrieved by recent developments, particularly the outcome of the party’s governorship primary, to subordinate personal interests to the broader objective of returning the APC to power in Oyo.
On the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Yilwatda said the APC had yet to take an official position on the outcome.
He said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) would review the election with its candidate and other relevant stakeholders before making an official pronouncement.
“We have not sat down as a party to take a position. A position as a party will involve the NWC inviting candidates and taking a review of what happened in Osun State,” he said.
Yilwatda described the Osun election as a learning experience for the APC, stressing the need for political maturity, sportsmanship and strategic reflection as the party prepares for future electoral contests.
Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee, Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, said the committee was committed to resolving grievances arising from the party’s recent governorship primary.
Lanlehin acknowledged the dissatisfaction among some members over the outcome of the primary, but urged them to put their differences aside and embrace reconciliation in the interest of the party.
“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.
The former senator expressed confidence that the APC could reclaim Oyo State in 2027, urging 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.
He stressed that the party’s ability to resolve its internal differences, restore confidence among members and present a united front would be crucial to its prospects in the 2027 election.
