Lanlehin-Adedoja Reconciliation Efforts Yield Results as Four APC Aspirants Back Alli
By Adewale Owoade
Four aggrieved governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have agreed to support the party’s candidate, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, in the 2027 governorship election.
The development followed the reconciliation efforts of the 14-member APC Governorship Primaries Reconciliation Committee, headed by Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin and former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.
Lanlehin disclosed this at a news conference in Ibadan, saying the committee’s efforts were aimed at resolving grievances arising from the party’s governorship primary.
He identified the four aspirants as former Deputy Governor Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Oyebode, Prince Musbau Asatola-Asanike and Dr. Ololade Bakare.
Lanlehin said the reconciliation was necessary because the party could not afford to approach the 2027 elections as a divided house.
He noted that 11 aspirants contested the APC governorship primary, with Alli emerging as the party’s flag bearer.
“The larger responsibility now is to build the party and win the confidence of the people of Oyo State.
“The decision of the aspirants represents a victory for collective interest over individual ambition, reconciliation over division, and unity over factionalism,” he said.
Lanlehin urged all APC members in the state to unite behind Alli and work towards securing victory for the party in the 2027 elections.
He also called on members to support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates at the polls.
Speaking on behalf of the reconciled aspirants, Olaniyan said their agreement was reached voluntarily and was not made under duress.
He said the prevailing atmosphere within the party indicated that stakeholders were willing to work together to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alli said the reconciliation process would continue until all aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders were brought together.
He appealed to aggrieved groups within the party to put their differences aside and work collectively for the success of the APC.
“The party is the government in waiting in Oyo State,” Alli said.
The Oyo State 2027 Governorship Aspirants Reconciliation Committee is a 14-member body comprising distinguished statesmen and women of exceptional integrity, vast experience, and proven leadership in public service, politics, governance, law, business, and community development.
Its membership includes former Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; former Members and Speakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly; a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A former First Lady of Oyo State; a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government; former Commissioners; former Chairmen and members of government boards and parastatals; former governorship aspirants.
Former governorship candidates of different political parties; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); distinguished legal practitioners; accomplished entrepreneurs; renowned philanthropists; respected grassroots mobilizers; and influential political leaders representing the major constituencies across Oyo State.
The Committee’s Secretary is a highly respected and influential political leader, an accomplished educationist, and a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Educational Management, with extensive experience in public service, leadership, and grassroots political mobilisation.
Every member of the Committee was meticulously selected from the various geopolitical zones and constituencies of Oyo State, reflecting a deliberate commitment to inclusiveness, balance, and credibility.
Their selection was based on their demonstrated integrity, political influence, professional accomplishments, wealth of experience, and unwavering commitment to fostering peace, reconciliation, unity, and sustainable progress within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oyo State at large.
Our reporter learnt from reliable sources that the committee is still engaging other important aggrieved aspirants particularly Chief Bayo Adelabu, Sen Fatai buhari and Barrister Hakeem agbaje.
Sen Teslim Folarin though not an aspirant but he is considered a major factor in the reconciliation process