Oyo APC Peace Advocates: A Perfect Antidote For The Much Needed Repositioning || By Sola Abegunde
To say that the circumstances that led to the shocking defeat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo state during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly election in 2023 were self induced is an understatement.
No one would have contemplated that a Party which was comprehensively victorious during the Presidential and National Assembly election would be completely routed by the same Peoples Democratic Party, PDP It defeated a few weeks earlier.
Oyo APC not only defeated the PDP in the Presidential ballot, It gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC the widest margin of victory in the South West and one of the widest margin of victory across the Country.
Not only that, the APC defeated the PDP to clinch all the three Senatorial seats and nine out of the fourteen House of Representatives seats.
That was a comprehensive victory for the APC and a crushing defeat for the PDP.
Sadly, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, came round to deliver a crushing defeat to the APC a few weeks after the National elections.
It was a most comprehensive victory for the PDP who not only won the gubernatorial contest but was victorious in the House of Assembly ballot, clinching twenty eight out of the thirty two seats in the House of Assembly leaving the APC with just four seats!
Several reasons have been adduced for the shocking defeat of the Oyo APC in 2023.
Some are of the opinion that the gubernatorial candidate for the APC at the election was not sellable. I do not agree with that notion. I do not know of any other candidate who could have done better in the circumstances the Oyo APC approached that election.
Some are of the opinion that the APC in Oyo state went to the election as a deflected and disjointed entity. I completely agree with that school of thought.
There is no doubt that Governor Seyi Makinde couldn’t have defeated the APC if the latter was united, regardless of the choice of the Party’s candidate.
Oyo APC went into the 2023 gubernatorial election as a disunited House and the election was decided before it was started.
Without the determination of the former Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Eng. Rauf Olaniyan, who was able to deliver in his Constituency and the vigor from the Party men in Saki, perhaps, the story would have been extremely terrible and APC might have zero representation in the House of Assembly.
Some are of the strong opinion that the fortunes of Oyo APC were greatly negatively affected by Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s collaborations with the G-5.
You can not fault that line of thinking.
I will not dissipate energy to discuss what I felt was responsible for the division within the Party. I had taken time to discuss such in the past but I must repeat, for emphasis sake, that the management or lack of it, of the Congresses and Primaries of the Party, sequel to the general election of 2023 were the root cause of disaffection.
Fortunately, Party Leaders and Stakeholders have identified this problems and they have committed themselves to ensuring that it is resolved in the interest of the Party.
A new rhythm has been discovered which has brought more and more Stakeholders together for the purpose of the success of the Party.
A typical example was the unity of purpose with which the Party approached the ill fated Local Government election of 2024. Though, I must admit that there are still noticeable traces of cracks within the Leaders.
However, just recently there is a fresh breath of life through a Body of eminent personalities and Leaders within the Oyo APC.
This Body, known as the Oyo APC Peace Advocates have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the Party is united in purpose for the challenges ahead.
The idea of assembling the Peace Advocates was conceived by Prince Niran Adeyoju, popularly known as ( SDM).
He commenced a peace initiative from his Ibadan North Local Government.
Having succeeded in that exercise, he had the urge to expand the peace initiatives beyond Ibadan North Local Government before he met Chief Wale Ohuu, who on his own had similar ideas.
Together, they convened the Peace Advocates and both of them are co-convener.
The integrity of the members invited to join Prince Adeyoju and Chief Ohuu speak volumes.
Other members of the Peace Advocates are: Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, a former Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly and Lagal Adviser, ( Afenifere),Hon. Bimbo Kolade, a two terms Commissioner in Oyo state and currently, Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Eng. Wale Adeoye, former Commissioner and Executive Director, Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, Hon. Amzat Ogunsola, former member, OYHA, Hon. Raji Razak, former Commissioner, Dr. Mrs. Peju Esan, former member, OYHA, Alhaji Adebayo Aruna, rtd Perm. Sec, Prince Gbade Lana, former LG Chairman and Commissioner and Hon. Bolaji Afeez aka Repete, former APC National Youth Leader.
Apart from the issue of integrity which is a criteria for consideration for membership of the Committee, a code of conduct which stipulates that members must not be affiliated with or be promoting the gubernatorial ambition of any Party member was adopted.
The Committee has been up and doing in their efforts to ensure that Oyo APC is united and ready for the challenges ahead.
They have been meeting with several Stakeholders and Leaders of the Party across the state to preach unity, discipline and dedication to the principles of Progressive Politics.
Recently, they met with the Chairman and members of the Oyo state Executives of the APC led by Alhaji Olayide Abass.
The interaction with the Oyo APC state Executives was highly productive as the Chairman, on behalf of the state Executives admitted that the agenda of the Oyo APC Peace Advocates are in tandem with the commitment and beliefs of the current state Executives.
I think it is safe to say at this point, that things will definitely change for the better in Oyo APC.
The integrity, dedication and activities of the personalities which constitutes the Peace Advocates, if given the necessary support by all the Stakeholders should resolve all differences within the Party without much stress.
Oyo APC is strong and vibrant despite the obstacles It had experienced.
The only issue against the Party is the absence of unity.
I have no doubts that the Advocates of Peace are more than capable of resolving the issues and thereby repositioning the Party for victory in 2027.
Credit must also be given to the Chairman of the Party in the state, Alhaji Olayide Abass with the support of the state excos of the party .
He has been irrevocably committed to peace initiatives and fence mending since his assumption of office.
I hope he will be given the needed support by all the Stakeholders.
