As part of measures to strengthen and unite members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Oyo State ahead the 2027 general election, stakeholders and members of the party on Saturday converged at the Alice Event hall, opposite University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan to discuss the way forward for the party.
The programme, a Political Discourse, tagged, Oyo State Political Class, ’24 had top politicians and discussants who spoke on salient issues ranging from Women and Youth participation in politics as well as post election matters.
The discussants, included Professor Adesiji Adeokun Tobi, former Provost, College of Agricultural Extension, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Hon. SOLA ABEGUNDE, APC chieftain and public affairs analyst, Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete, newly appointed member, Governing Council, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Hon. Taiwo Okunlola, former Federal Board Member, and Hon. Fatima Hassan who spoke at different stages, urged members of the party to be more united, focused and improve themselves for leadership position in the future.
Speaking, Professor Adesiji while speaking on post election issues recalled that there was adequate preparation for the party in the last general election, but wondered why the party did not win at the state level. “Due to the solid preparation of the party in the 2023 general elections, APC won all the three Senatorial seats in Oyo State, and also did well in the House of Representatives, but we keep wondering why the party lost at the state level.”
“But at the end of the day, the failure of the party was traced to activities of some party sychophant who betrayed the party. I want to admonish members to unite and do away with politics of bitterness in order to move forward.
He said the aggrieved people need to be brought back to the fold so that the APC can begin to mobilize for future political activities, especially the 2027 general elections, adding that this is the period the party can correct it’s past issues and move forward.
APC Chieftain and Public Affairs Analyst, Hon Sola Abegunde and Hon. Taiwo Okunlola, former Board Member Nigeria Export Processing Zone, spoke on the need for the party leaders to be up and doing, lead by example, adding that a situation where the leaders fail to carry their members along will continue to cause grudges and division.
They said members need to focus more on the success of the party at this point in time and have a well defined platform and good marketing strategies for APC.
They urged the Youths of the party to make themselves available and put them selves at vantage position so that they too can be useful for the party.
The Oyo South Senatorial Women leader, Hon. Fatimah Hassan in her contributions urged the women to re strategize in order to put the party in vantage position in the future political activities of the party.
The Panelists, Hon. Akeem Adetoyese Isola, Comrade Oluwaseun Adegbola, and Afeez Bolaji Repete who spoke from different points of view said it is high time the party forgot their differences and unite for the advancement and victory of the party in future elections.
In a separate interview, Hon. Afeez Repete, lauded the convener, Hon. Tolani Adigun for her initiative, describing the programme as a welcome development and a very good starting point for the APC,
“The programme has already set the pace for our party to take over government house in 2027. It is a good starting point, we are rebuilding the party and I can assure you that with this initiative, the party will bounce back to prime position.”
In her address, the converner, Hon. Tolani Adigun said the essence of the programme was to bring members of the APC together to rob minds and bring up ideas that will ignite change capable of forging pathways to progress.
“As the convener of today’s discourse, it is my profound honor to stand before a congregation of minds dedicated to the betterment of our society.
“In the spirit of democracy and the pursuit of advancement, we come together to deliberate on matters of significant importance. Our discussions today are not mere exchanges of thoughts but the very catalysts that will shape our collective future.
While commending the participants for their contributions, as they engaged in robust argument with civility, Hon Adigun said the discourse has not only highlighted the diverse perspectives within our community but also underscored our collective commitment to the democratic process.
“We have delved into the complexities of governance, the challenges of policy-making, and the aspirations of our people. While we may not have reached a consensus on every issue, the respect and willingness to listen to one another is the bedrock upon which progress is built.”
