The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a comprehensive reconciliation initiative aimed at healing internal divisions and positioning the party to reclaim power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general elections.
Historic Meeting Between Former Rivals
The reconciliation process gained significant momentum following last Friday's meeting between Senator Teslim Folarin, the party's 2023 governorship candidate, and Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu in Ibadan. This meeting marked a crucial turning point for the party, as both politicians had been on opposing political paths since their fallout during the 2023 election cycle.
According to the party's Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, who confirmed the development to The Guardian, the reconciliation effort extends beyond the widely publicized Folarin-Adelabu meeting. "A series of other reconciliation engagements have been taking place quietly," Sadare revealed, noting that stakeholders across all party tendencies have expressed support for the renewed peace process.
Background of the Political Rift
The political rivalry between Folarin and Adelabu defined the tense pre-election atmosphere within Oyo APC in 2023. The conflict escalated after Folarin secured the APC governorship ticket, prompting Adelabu to defect to the Accord Party where he contested but ultimately lost to Governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP.
The internal crisis was further complicated by the fallout from the 2023 APC congresses that produced the late Isaac Omodewu as party chairman. Another significant defection occurred when Samuel Tegbe, who lost the gubernatorial ticket to Folarin, moved to the PDP and ran unsuccessfully against APC's Senator Abdulfatai Buhari for the Oyo South Senatorial seat.
Challenges and Regional Demands
Despite the positive momentum, the reconciliation initiative faces internal resistance. Former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, revealed that although some reconciliation meetings were held under the auspices of Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, widow of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, he was neither invited nor concerned about his exclusion.
Shittu insisted that for the Oke-Ogun zone, discussions must include zoning the 2027 APC governorship ticket to the area, highlighting the complex regional dynamics that the party must navigate to achieve genuine unity.
Ondo APC Follows Suit with Unity Pledge
In a related development, some members of the APC in Ondo State, operating under the Aggrieved Aspirants Forum, have vowed to set aside their differences and mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The forum's team leader, Taiwo Agunloye, announced during a gathering in Akure that the group decided to wholeheartedly endorse Tinubu and pass a vote of confidence on his administration. Agunloye cited national interest, improvements in the economy under Tinubu's watch, and the administration's commitment to tackling security concerns as reasons for their decision.
The simultaneous reconciliation efforts in both Oyo and Ondo states signal a strategic repositioning of the APC in southwestern Nigeria as the party prepares for the crucial 2027 electoral contests.
