Oyo APC’s reconciliation committee intensifies consultations with governorship aspirants to resolve primary election disputes and strengthen party unity.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has taken fresh steps to mend internal divisions following its governorship primary election, as the party’s reconciliation committee intensified consultations with aggrieved aspirants in a bid to restore confidence and strengthen unity ahead of future political engagements.
The reconciliation panel, constituted by the Oyo State chapter of the APC, said its ongoing consultations are designed to resolve misunderstandings arising from the primary election and ensure that all stakeholders remain committed to the collective interest of the party.
Details of the committee’s activities were contained in a communiqué released on Friday and jointly signed by its Co-Chairmen, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoheed Adedoja.
The statement explained that the committee was carrying out responsibilities assigned to it by the state leadership of the APC to promote peace and rebuild trust among party members after the governorship primaries.
According to the communiqué, the committee has already met separately with several governorship aspirants who participated in the primary election.
Those consulted include former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Prince Asatola Asanke, Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao and Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina.
The meetings were held on July 8 and July 10, 2026, as part of the reconciliation process.
The committee also disclosed that another aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem, had earlier aligned himself with the party’s governorship candidate, indicating his willingness to support the APC’s collective objective ahead of the next election.
During the consultations, the aspirants reportedly shared their reservations about the conduct of the governorship primary.
They expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the exercise, raising concerns over both the procedures adopted during the election and the eventual outcome.
Although the communiqué did not provide details of the specific complaints presented by each aspirant, it noted that they appealed to the reconciliation committee to carefully examine the issues and recommend solutions capable of strengthening internal democracy and reinforcing unity within the party.
Despite expressing disappointment over the primary election, the aspirants reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and assured the committee that they remained willing to participate in efforts aimed at resolving disagreements.
They stressed that preserving the unity of the party should remain a top priority as preparations continue for future electoral contests.
The committee described the meetings as constructive and said the discussions reflected a shared determination among party leaders and aspirants to place the overall interest of the APC above individual ambitions.
To reassure party members, the reconciliation panel pledged to handle every complaint with fairness, sincerity and impartiality.
It maintained that every submission made by the aspirants would receive objective consideration, while all recommendations emerging from the consultations would be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
The panel further emphasised that its assignment was not limited to listening to grievances alone but also to building consensus among stakeholders and encouraging renewed cooperation across different interests within the party.
As part of the resolutions reached during the consultations, the aspirants unanimously agreed that they would honour any invitation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should he decide to personally intervene in the reconciliation process.
They expressed confidence that discussions involving the President could further strengthen efforts to resolve lingering concerns and foster lasting peace.
The committee welcomed this commitment, describing it as a positive indication that the aspirants remain dedicated to the stability and progress of the APC despite the disagreements that followed the primary election.
The reconciliation panel also announced that its consultations would continue in the coming days.
It said additional meetings would be held with governorship aspirants who were unable to attend the initial sessions, while other influential stakeholders within the party would also be invited to contribute to the peace-building exercise.
According to the committee, broad consultations remain essential because achieving lasting reconciliation requires the participation of every key stakeholder whose contributions can help restore harmony across the party structure.
Beyond engaging aspirants, the committee pledged to formally communicate the concerns, recommendations and positions expressed during the consultations to the appropriate leadership organs of the APC.
This includes briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other senior party leaders on the issues raised during the meetings.
The committee expressed optimism that the reconciliation process would ultimately strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence among party members and position the APC for greater unity ahead of future political activities in Oyo State.
Political observers believe reconciliation efforts often play a significant role in maintaining party stability after competitive primary elections, particularly in states where multiple influential aspirants contest for a single ticket.
By encouraging dialogue instead of prolonged disagreements, party leaders hope to prevent internal divisions from affecting future electoral performance.
With consultations still ongoing, party members will be watching closely to see whether the reconciliation committee succeeds in bringing together all aggrieved stakeholders and achieving the unity it has set out to accomplish.
About The Author
