APM predicts failure of Oyo APC reconciliation, cites internal division

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has criticised the reconciliation committee recently inaugurated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the initiative as incapable of resolving the party’s internal challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Amubode Oluwatosin, on Monday, said the APC was embarking on what it described as a “failed mission”, alleging that the reconciliation effort was “dead on arrival” due to divisions within the party.

Amubode alleged that the camp of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, was operating a “winner-takes-all” approach and was unwilling to accommodate aggrieved stakeholders and party members.

He further claimed that some key political appointments, including the positions of secretary to the state government, commissioners, special advisers and local government chairmen, had allegedly been discussed among members of Alli’s camp despite the 2027 governorship election being far away.

The APM spokesman stated that genuine progressives within the APC would not be convinced by the reconciliation move, adding that dissatisfied members would resist what he described as political manipulation.

Amubode also questioned the appointment of former Senator Olufemi Lanlehin as co-chairman of the reconciliation committee, arguing that he had previously headed a similar assignment before the 2023 general elections without achieving the desired result. He alleged that the previous committee set up to address disputes arising from the APC’s congresses and primaries failed to unite the party and instead deepened internal divisions.

According to him, reappointing Lanlehin to lead another reconciliation effort would produce a similar outcome and could further weaken the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.

“The Oyo APC is on a failed mission again. The reconciliation committee co-chaired by Olufemi Lanlehin and Taoheed Adedoja will fail woefully, just as it did in 2023,” Amubode said, maintaining that the committee lacked the capacity to address the party’s longstanding grievances, promote unity among stakeholders and prepare the APC for future elections.