Leads Talks to Resolve Primary Disputes*
Professor Taoheed Adedoja, a prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, has intensified efforts to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and preserve unity within the party ahead of forthcoming elections.
The mediation initiative follows rising tension among supporters of various aspirants contesting for party tickets across different constituencies and elective positions in the state.
Prof. Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, has reportedly begun separate consultations with aspirants in a bid to prevent bitterness and internal divisions capable of weakening the APC’s electoral chances.
Speaking on the ongoing reconciliation efforts, Adedoja said his mediation strategy is designed to encourage unsuccessful aspirants to remain committed to the party after the primaries.
“If my mediation template is considered, the unpicked aspirants will be encouraged to cooperate with the eventual candidates during subsequent campaign activities of the party,” he stated.
The former 2007 Oyo State governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC) noted that every aspirant remains relevant to the future of the party and should be accommodated through dialogue and negotiation.
“From experience, every aspirant should be recognised in determining the future of the party and can be negotiated with on the mediation table, which I am currently exploring considering the present political circumstances in Oyo State,” Adedoja added.
He disclosed that he has already spoken with several aspirants dissatisfied with the outcome of recent party primaries, urging them to embrace sportsmanship and continue working for the APC.
According to him, the party leadership understands that prolonged confrontations and post-primary grievances could create avoidable factions within the party.
“The party cannot afford internal disunity at this critical period. That is why I am stepping in to mediate,” he said.
Adedoja further appealed to aspirants and their supporters to prioritise party unity above personal ambition, warning against inflammatory comments and actions capable of escalating political tension in the state.
He also stressed that the financial contributions, mobilisation structures, and political networks built by all aspirants should not be discarded once candidates emerge either through consensus or primary elections.
Meanwhile, political observers believe that transparent consensus arrangements could help reduce litigation, post-primary disputes, and internal wrangling often associated with party contests.
However, some aspirants are reportedly insisting on open and competitive primaries, arguing that all interested party members should be given the opportunity to test their popularity through a democratic process.
