Lanlehin, Adedoja to Lead Oyo APC Reconciliation Committee.
By Adewale Owoade
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has constituted a 14 – Member powerful reconciliation committee to unite the governorship aspirants and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee is to be co chaired by former Senator, Olufemi Lanlehin,a former Senator who represented Oyo South senatorial district at the 7th assembly and also the 2019 governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress ADC .
And Prof Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, the 1998 governorship candidate of Democratic Party of Nigeria,DPN and also 2007 governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.
According to the party, the committee was established following the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 Governorship election ,Sen Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, and the committee is expected to reconcile all the eleven governorship aspirants who participated in the party’s primary election.
Membership of the high level committee include Chief Mrs Oluwakemi Alao Akala, wife of late governor Adebayo Alao Akala, Dr Felicia Adekemi Opatunde, (Oyo State Women Leader), Prof. Afolabi Oladapo (Former Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria).
Alhaji Abubakar Adejare Gbadamosi , an Okeogun well established politician,Sen. Brimo Yusuf (retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General who represented Oyo north as Senator of the Federal Republic ),from 1999 to 2003.
Alhaji Isiaka Alimi ( former Vice-Chairman of the party), Sen. Hosea Ayoola Agboola (Deputy chief whip of the 7th senate), Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe,an Iddo local government Strong party chieftain.
Pa Timothy Jolaoso, (former Commissioner for Establishment under Late Chief Bola Ige in the Old Oyo State and a respected elder and leader of the Progressives in Ibarapa zone of the state.
Engr Idris Adegboyega Adeoye, a renown grassroot mobilizer in Oyo as well as Dr Ismail Adebayo Adewusi (Former Postmaster General of the Federation,and Rt Hon. Olagunju Ojo (former Speaker of the State Assembly )
The committee has been mandated to engage all governorship aspirants who purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and contested the primary election, with a view to reconciling any perceived grievances and securing their support for the party’s candidate.
In a statement jointly signed by the Oyo APC Chairman, and a former Deputy governor,Dr Moses Alake Adeyemo, and the State Secretary, Barr. Fatal Adesina, the party said the committee’s assignment is aimed at fostering unity and ensuring victory at the 2027 polls.
According to the statement, “We all know that a divided house cannot stand together to undertake the herculean task of winning an election.
”The party strongly counts on your experience and pedigree to resolve all issues amicably. Winning the election will open doors to greater opportunities for the party and the people.”
The committee is expected to meet with all aspirants and from an impeccable source the committee will also engage
the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, whom the party described as a key stakeholder and a distinguish party man.
According to the party leadership,the reconciliation committee enjoys the support of its national leadership as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who acknowledged that Oyo State gave him the highest votes in south west at the 2023 presidential election.
The party further disclosed that similar reconciliation committees would be constituted for National Assembly and State House of Assembly aspirants, adding that the inauguration of the committees will take place in the coming days.