Folarin Leads Oyo APC Reconciliation Drive, Strengthens Campaign Council
By Adewale Owoade
Former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, has intensified efforts to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State through reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation and the integration of former Allied Peoples Movement (APM) members into the party.
Folarin, who coordinates the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Oyo State and serves as the state’s Renewed Hope Ambassador, said unity and collective commitment were essential to securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He made the call during a meeting with members of the Oyo State APC Executive Committee at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
The former Senate Leader urged party leaders and members to put aside personal grievances, internal disagreements and competing interests, stressing that the party’s collective electoral ambition should take precedence over individual considerations.
He said reconciliation, inclusiveness, mutual respect and sustained engagement among stakeholders were necessary to rebuild confidence and strengthen the party’s structures across the state’s 33 local government areas.
“I am fully committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the success of all APC candidates in Oyo State in the 2027 general elections,” Folarin declared.
He described Tinubu as a leader deserving of respect and loyalty, urging party members to uphold discipline, respect constituted leadership and work together towards achieving the party’s objectives.
According to him, the 2027 elections present an opportunity for APC members to demonstrate political maturity, consolidate existing support and strengthen the party’s presence across the state.
In a related development, Folarin joined the Oyo State APC leadership to receive former councillors who served between 2021 and 2024 under the APM platform into the APC.
The reception, according to the party, formed part of efforts to expand its membership base, accommodate political stakeholders and strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
Welcoming the new entrants, Folarin urged them to work harmoniously with existing members and contribute meaningfully to the party’s growth and electoral success.
He stressed that the APC needed the active participation of leaders, stakeholders, grassroots mobilisers and ordinary members to achieve its objectives in 2027.
The Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Alake, commended Folarin for embracing reconciliation and demonstrating commitment to peace and unity within the party.
“We appreciate Senator Teslim Folarin for sheathing his sword and embracing peace. Your decision is important to strengthening unity within our party as we prepare for the forthcoming elections,” Alake said.
He described the development as an important step towards strengthening internal cohesion and positioning the party for the forthcoming electoral contests.
Following the meeting with the State Executive Committee, Folarin also met with Local Government Ambassadors for Renewed Hope, charging them to intensify grassroots mobilisation and door-to-door campaigns across their respective council areas.
He urged the ambassadors to engage voters directly, communicate the Tinubu administration’s policies and achievements, and strengthen interaction with communities at the ward and polling-unit levels.
Folarin further called on them to work closely with party executives and other stakeholders to expand the APC’s support base ahead of the elections.
As part of efforts to strengthen the coordination and operations of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Oyo State, Folarin announced appointments into key positions.
The appointees are Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, State Deputy Coordinator; Hon. Yinka Taiwo, Assistant State Coordinator; Engr. Idris Adeoye, Director of Budget, Finance and Resource Management; Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete, Secretary; and Hon. Gbenga Olayemi, Director of Inter-Party Affairs.
He charged the appointees to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, loyalty and commitment to the party’s electoral objectives.
Folarin reiterated that the APC’s immediate priorities in Oyo State included promoting internal unity, strengthening grassroots structures, expanding membership and mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election and other party candidates in 2027.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the state party leadership, stakeholders and members at all levels to build a united and election-ready APC.
