The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has called for unity among party members in Oyo State, saying reconciliation and collective action are essential to the party’s bid to reclaim the state in the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda made the call on Wednesday in Ibadan during a reconciliation visit, where he met with party leaders, stakeholders and members of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee.
The APC national chairman described the party as a family, noting that disagreements among members were inevitable but should not be allowed to undermine the party’s electoral prospects.
“We are 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,” he said.
Yilwatda explained that the renewed reconciliation effort was designed to address grievances, rebuild confidence among members and strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, he said the APC had yet to adopt an official position on the outcome.
According to him, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) would review the election alongside its candidate and other stakeholders before reaching a position.
“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,” Yilwatda stated.
He nevertheless described the election as a learning experience for the party, stressing the need for political maturity and sportsmanship among members.
Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said the committee was committed to resolving grievances arising from the party’s recent governorship primaries.
Lanlehin acknowledged the dissatisfaction among some members over the outcome of the primaries, but urged them to set aside their differences and work towards the party’s larger objective.
“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.
He expressed optimism that the APC could regain control of Oyo State in 2027, urging party leaders, aspirants and members to embrace 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.
