APC Opens Reconciliation Moves in Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Benue, Niger
The All Progressives Congress has commenced moves to restore harmony and cohesion in its chapters in Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Benue and Niger states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Working Committee has sent delegations to the affected states to address disputes arising from governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly primaries.
The affected chapters have been grappling with internal disagreements, litigations, defections and threats of defection by aggrieved members.
The move followed a retreat held by the party’s national leadership at the weekend in Maiduguri, Borno State, where a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of the APC across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory was conducted as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
The National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the retreat brought together members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee, adding that reconciliation of aggrieved members was identified as a major part of the party’s preparations for the elections.
In Oyo State, the report said supporters of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had yet to align with the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, following the governorship primary.
In Kwara State, the party has also been facing disagreements involving Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and former governorship aspirant, Senator Saliu Mustapha, following the emergence of House of Assembly Speaker Saliu Yakubu Danladi as the party’s candidate.
Mustapha subsequently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, where he secured the senatorial ticket for Kwara Central, according to the report.
Basiru said the APC had identified Oyo, Niger, Benue, Kwara and Osun as states requiring reconciliation efforts, adding that the National Working Committee had already taken steps to intervene.
He said, “In the NWC, winning elections is our work. There were robust discussions on how to strengthen the party where we are weak and consolidate where we are strong.
“We also accord priority to reconciliation. We have been to Oyo and Niger. We have identified Benue, Kwara and Osun. NWC has resolved to send representations. We have also made recommendations to the President.”
In Benue State, the report said the APC had been affected by disagreements between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, over the outcome of the party’s primaries.
It added that efforts to reconcile the two camps had yet to resolve the differences.
In Osun State, the APC reportedly went into the August governorship election divided and suffered further internal disagreements following its defeat by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord.
The Niger State chapter also experienced disagreements following its primaries, with some aggrieved members threatening to leave the party if the national leadership failed to intervene.
Basiru said the party was currently involved in 153 litigations across the country, although he noted that the figure was lower than those recorded during previous election cycles.
Meanwhile, the APC also resolved to appoint Oladiran Iyantan, a chieftain from Ondo State, as National Vice Chairman, Southwest, replacing Dr Isaacs Kekemeke, who is now the party’s senatorial candidate for Ondo South.
The party also discussed the selection of polling-unit agents ahead of the 2027 elections.
Basiru said the list of agents for the 176,846 polling units nationwide was expected to be ready by next month, adding that the agents would be selected in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
On campaign activities, he said state support groups should coordinate their activities with the respective state chapters of the party.