Oyo APC Peace Advocates Urge Unity, Prioritize Party Ahead of 2027 Elections
Oyo APC Peace Advocates, led by its two co-conveners, Prince Niran Adeyoju (SDM) and Chief Wale Ohu have admonished Stakeholders of Ibadan Outer City to prioritize peace and harmony within the Party over and above Group’s and Aspirant’s interests.
This admonishment was given on Wednesday, 25th of June, 2025 at the APC Outer City zonal Secretariat along New Ife road in Egbeda Local Government as part of the group’s visitation to all zones of Oyo State.
The Outer City Stakeholders compromise of ten Leaders from each of the Local Governments in the Ibadan Outer City plus Local Government Party Chairmen, Women Leaders, Youth Leaders, Party Secretaries of Local Governments, Party State officers who are from the zone, former and serving House of Representatives, House of Assembly and Senators elected under the Party who are from the zone.
Senator Yunus Akintunde, the current Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District was in attendance and he attested to the peace Initiatives of the Oyo APC Peace Advocates.
He told the meeting that members of the Group had gone far and wide to ensure that Oyo APC is repositioned for victory in 2027.
Senator Yunus Akintunde confirmed that the APC Peace Advocates had met with the National Assembly caucus of Oyo state at Abuja to preach the message of peace and true reconciliation.
He said the National Assembly caucus were surprised at the level of commitment and sacrifice which the Group had undertaken.
He told the meeting that the Group declined to accept financial offer of mobilization extended to them after the Abuja meeting because, they told the National Assembly caucus that they APC Peace Advocates were prepared to sacrifice their time, energy and resources to ensure that peace reigns in Oyo APC.
The Leaders of Ibadan Outer City also praised the Group for their selfless efforts.
They said having listened to the message of peace by the Peace Advocates at the Oyo state APC Secretariat Oke-Ado, and also at the meeting of State Elders Advisory Council of the Party some months ago, they were inclined to invite the Group to their meeting to deliver similar message of Peace and Party cohesion being preached.
Chief Wale Ohu a Co-Convener of the Group addressed the meeting on behalf of the Oyo APC Peace Advocates.
He noted that the way the Leadership forum for the Ibadan Outer City is constituted will make peace initiatives easy.
The Leadership forum for Ibadan Outer City is constituted in a way that those who had issues with the Party in 2023 and thereby left the Party contributed five persons while those who stayed with the Party also contributed the same number of persons.
Chief Ohu noted further that the Peace Advocates discovered that process of selecting candidates for elective positions in is one of the major issues that can lead to Party failures in elections.
He said for us to achieve success in 2027, the processes of selecting candidates for elective positions must be free, fair, transparent and credible. Superior internal democracy must be adhered to.
Chief Ohu went further to say that if a candidate loses Party ticket through a free, fair and transparent process, such a candidate would be easy to appease and appeal to.
He condemned the act of promoting Groups and Aspirant’s interests over the general interest of the Party which is inimical to fostering of peace and harmony within the Party and should be discouraged by all.
He drew attention to the experience of late Chief Bola Ige and Baba Alayande of blessed memories.
He said despite the fact that Chief Awolowo as the overall Leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN preferred Baba Alayande to Bola Ige for Oyo State Governor but through credible Party primary, Chief Bola Ige emerged as the candidate and Baba Alayande not only supported Ige to win the election but he also served under Bola Ige in his Government. You need not tear the party because you did not win party ticket. Aspirant’s supporters should equally not see anyone’s aspiration bigger than the interest of the Party.
He also drew attention to the case of late Senator Ajimobi when he contested and won election as the Senator for Oyo South Senatorial District.
Chief Ohu reminded the meeting that it was only in Oyo South Senatorial District where Ajimobi won that party primaries were conducted at that time and the two remaining Senatorial Districts where the candidates were handpicked, the Party lost.
He rounded up by thanking the Stakeholders of Ibadan Outer City for the warm welcome and commitments to peace within the Party.
Leaders of Ibadan Outer City present at the meeting includes; Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe JP, Chairman, Alh. Rasak Akilapa- Oluyole LG, Hon. Lekan Adeyemo- Oluyole LG, Alh. Yinka Folarin – Ona-Ara LG, Alh. Sule Suara, Egbeda LG, Alhaja Zainab Juwon Olawuyi, Egbeda LG, Hon. Remi Adebayo Lagelu LG, Hon Debo Aromole, Lagelu LG, Alh. Isiaka Alimi, Akinyele LG, Alh. Moshood Adigun, Ido LG and Alh. Rabiu Iyalode, Ido LG.
Oyo APC Peace Advocates members present are:
Rt. Hon. Dr. Akin Onigbinde SAN; Prince Gbade Lana; Hon.Dr.(Mrs) Peju Esan; Hon. Amzat Ogunsola; Engr. Wale Adeoye & Alhaji Adebayo Aruna
Sola Abegunde.
