The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has made significant progress in reconciling aspirants who contested its recent House of Assembly primary, with most of them agreeing to support the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The reconciliation is aimed at addressing grievances that emerged from the primary election and restoring unity within the party across the state’s 32 state constituencies.

The development was contained in a communique issued on Sunday by the Chairman of the Oyo State APC House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee, Alhaji Mufitau Adisa Gbayawu; Co-Chairman, Bisoye Fagade; and Secretary, Barrister Dr Rotimi Okeowo.

The committee said its engagements with the aspirants and other stakeholders had resulted in “substantial progress” towards resolving disputes arising from the primary.

It said meetings were held with aspirants who purchased nomination forms, as well as other party members who participated in or had interests in the electoral process.

According to the committee, most of the aspirants demonstrated maturity and sportsmanship by putting the broader interests of the party ahead of their individual ambitions.

The reconciled aspirants, it said, had agreed to work with one another and the party leadership to secure victory for the APC in the 2027 elections.

They also pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the election of APC candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Oyo State House of Assembly.

Gbayawu said the committee had engaged the aggrieved aspirants individually, giving them the opportunity to explain their concerns over the conduct and outcome of the primary election.

He acknowledged the right of party members to raise objections and express dissatisfaction but urged them to place the collective interest of the APC above individual political ambitions.

The committee chairman commended the aspirants for agreeing to set aside their grievances and participate in efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

Fagade described the reconciliation exercise as successful, saying the willingness of the aspirants to work with the party leadership would provide a stronger basis for mobilisation ahead of the elections.

The Oyo State APC Gubernatorial Reconciliation Committee also participated in the process, with its Co-Chairman, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, appealing to members to maintain unity.

Lanlehin, who acknowledged the frustrations that often accompany losing an election, urged the aspirants to prioritise the party’s interests over personal disappointments.

His fellow Co-Chairman, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, also praised the aspirants for embracing reconciliation and committing themselves to the party’s electoral objectives.

The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, welcomed the development and stressed the importance of collective action to the party’s chances in 2027.

Alli further promised that, if elected governor on May 29, 2027, he would work with stakeholders across the state and implement local government fiscal autonomy.

The reconciliation initiative is part of wider efforts by APC leaders to resolve internal disagreements and strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

The committee expressed optimism that the renewed cooperation among aspirants, leaders and other stakeholders would improve the APC’s electoral prospects across Oyo State.