*resolve to deliver Tinubu, Alli, others in Oyo
By Adeyinka Adeniran
The efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to go into the next year election with a united house got a boost on Thursday as heavyweights and chieftains of the party including the wife of the immediate past governor, Ambassador Florence Ajimobi, the former senate leader, Teslim Folarin, the 2027 governorship aspirant and former minister of power, Bayo Adelabu, Akeem Agbaje among others met behind closed doors.
The meeting which held at the Lagos residence of the Ajimobis’, it was gathered was called by the Nigerian Ambassador to proffer lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the party.
The Nation reports that, the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the gubernatorial flagbearer of the party for the 2027 election had led to disagreement and internal wrangling among the party members across the state.
However, the leadership of the party led by the former Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo set up reconciliation committee led by both Prof. Taoheed Adedoja and Senator Femi Lanlehin to unite all the members and ensure the success of all the candidates including President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had also meet with the chieftains of the party including Senator Teslim Folarin and Senator Fatai Buhari among others at different times, in a bid to ensure peace.
Despite the efforts at both the state and national levels, some of the party leaders have not been showing up at the party events in recent times.
Notably, the affected leaders and their supporters were absent at the unveiling of the manifesto of the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Sharafadeen Alli in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Although, despite the grievances, all the affected chieftains had long pledged their commitment to the success of the re-election bid of President Tinubu, they remained mute as to their commitment and support to the governorship candidate of the party in the state.
The Nation reports that, Senator Folarin’s meeting with the President had seen a renewed party commitment and resolve to broker peace among the warring factions while also wooing other party members into the broom party.
But, he was not at the unveiling of the manifesto of the APC candidate at an event which held on Tuesday.
A source who was in attendance at the Lagos meeting said the meeting was basically centered on the re-election of President Tinubu; victory for the state governorship candidate, Alli; all other APC candidates and the reconciliation of all the aggrived party chieftains aftermath of the conduct of the state party primaries.
It was gathered that, prior to the Lagos meeting, another meeting had earlier held on Wednesday at the State Secretariat of the party, Oke Ado, Ibadan.
A source who preferred anonymity said, “Yes. We held a closed door meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was convened by the former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin. All the stakeholders were there, Bayo Adelabu inclusive. Some people believed Adelabu is not with APC, it’s a joke of a century. He was physically present.
“The meeting centered on the re-election of President Tinubu, our governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli as well as the ongoing reconciliation move. We have all agreed to work together for the success of the party in Oyo State. So, rest assured.
“We, APC, in Oyo, are going to the polls as a formidable team. There is no crack at all in Oyo APC.”
The Ibadan meeting had in attendance former Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan; the state Chairman, Moses Adeyemo; former First Lady, Kemi Alao-Akala; former Minister of Youth and Sports, who is now the Special Assistant to President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senator Ayo Adeseun; and Senator Femi Lanleyin.”
Others were “Former Minister of Youth and Sports again, Toaheed Adedoja; former party Chairman, Akin Oke; former Senate Chief Whip, Hosea Agboola; former Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja; Senator Brimoh Yusuf; Senator Ayo Adeseun, Fatai Ibikunle, Akeem Agbaje and others.
Barely 24 hours after the meeting, the wife of the immediate past governor, Amb. Florence Ajimobi had another meeting with the chieftain of the party at her residence in Lagos.
An inside source disclosed that the aggrieved members have resolved to put the past behind them and work for the common goal of the party in 2027.
The source stated, “Members of the party in the 33 local government areas of the state have resolved to work for the common goal of the party in 2027. We are going to deliver not only President Tinubu but all the candidates of the party at all levels.
“Also, the meeting deliberated on the campaign train of Tinubu’s visit to Oyo state on Saturday, 21 November, 2026. I can boldly say there is no more division in APC. We are united family. We have learnt our lessons and we are ready to work together for the common good of the party.”
