Oyo APC guber aspirants meet reconciliation committee, insist Tinubu should decide consensus candidate

By Olusesan Laoye

The Reconciliation Committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has met with the six governorship aspirants known as the G6 in Ibadan to address issues arising from the party’s recent governorship primary.

The meeting, which lasted about four hours, was described as frank and intensive, with discussions focused on finding an acceptable resolution to the crisis threatening party unity ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The engagement followed widespread complaints over the conduct of the APC governorship primary, which some stakeholders criticised for allegedly falling short of democratic standards, transparency and internal party procedures.

The G6 aspirants who attended the meeting were former Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Prince Kola Asatola Asanike; Engr. Hakeem Alao; and Dr. Usman Bakare. Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina and Barr. Hakeem Agbaje were absent due to personal engagements, but the group maintained that they remained fully committed members of the G6.

The aspirants and their supporters, operating under the G60 platform, presented a common position, expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primary and the role played by some party leaders.

They argued that the process did not reflect the principles of fairness, equity and internal democracy expected within the party.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Olaniyan said the aspirants had agreed to submit the issue of the party’s governorship ticket to President Bola Tinubu for final arbitration.

According to him, the group does not recognise any candidate as having emerged validly from the primary process.

“No candidate has been validly nominated as the governorship candidate of our party,” Olaniyan said.

“It is only President Bola Tinubu who can give us a candidate. Once that decision is made, all disagreements will be over.

“Whoever the President eventually picks will be our choice, but we need that affirmation directly from him as the father of the party. That meeting is what will unify us and position us for victory in 2027.”

The reconciliation committee, co-chaired by Senator Femi Lanlehin and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, urged the aspirants to remain committed to dialogue and place the interest of the party above personal ambitions.

The committee stressed the importance of APC unity ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that reclaiming Oyo State remains crucial to the party’s broader political objectives and the success of President Tinubu’s administration.

Lanlehin acknowledged the concerns raised by the aspirants and assured them that efforts were ongoing to resolve the dispute amicably.

He urged members of the group to remain calm and be prepared for further consultations, indicating that another meeting could be convened soon as the latest engagement ended without a final resolution.

Other members of the reconciliation committee present at the meeting included Pa Jolaoso, Hon. Olagunju Ojo, Dr. Kemi Opadotun, who served as secretary, Dr. Bayo Adewusi, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Dr. Olalekan Alli and Pa Ajisafe.

The meeting ended with all parties pledging to continue consultations in the interest of peace, reconciliation and unity within the Oyo State chapter of the APC.