The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has been reminded of the need to mend ties and soothe the feelings of all party members in order to achieve electoral success.
The Oyo State APC Reconciliation Committee, led by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, presented its findings to the party’s State Executive Committee in Ibadan, the state capital, on Thursday, August 4, 2022.
In his opening remarks, Lanlehin opened up on some of the problems that led to the urgent need for the Committee, particularly those that surfaced during the party’s congresses and primaries. He noted that despite the intensity of the members’ complaints, their continued interest in the party led them to warmly receive his Committee, to the point where they even provided useful suggestions that can advance the party.
“Despite members’ understandable anger, one good thing I took away was their commitment to remain within the party; in fact, they’ve only asked that the party takes note of their grouse and keeps faithfully to their recommendations,” Lanlehin submitted.
Senator Lanlehin thanked the State Executive Committee for considering him and the members of his Committee deserving of such difficult yet lofty assignment and urged the party to carefully consider the recommendations as doing so will go a long way in assisting the party’s success. He also pledged his readiness to heed such calls when beckoned again.
In his response, Hon. Isaac Omodewu, State Chairman of the party, commended the Committee for putting their all into the task, noting that party members could learn a lot from their dedication. He also pleaded with them to remember that their task had not yet been completed because it would always be ongoing.
“Until we achieve electoral victory in the 2023 polls, your assignment has not ended. Even after, I’m sure you’ll still have one or two things to do, for the sake of the party,” Omodewu said.
Commending members for their selflessness, the Oyo APC helmsman praised them for doing the assignment pro bono, praying that their reward will not elude them when the time comes. “If we’d given this assignment to a Consultant, we know how many millions he’d have charged us. So, we thank this Committee for doing a thoroughly professional job free of charge. We cannot appreciate you enough”.
Informing the Committee that he’ll take the recommendations to the Elders’ Advisory Council with a view to getting their buy-in, the state chairman intimated them of his wish to keep the Committee, subject to the approval of the governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, and the guidance of the party’s constitution, as a body to be consulted at all times.
Members of the State Executive Committee and several chieftains from the six Southwest states who were in Ibadan for the party’s zonal conference joined the State Chairman to receive the report. Barrister Kola Majaro, Mrs. Yetunde Adesanya, the Southwest Zonal Legal Adviser, and Barrister Paul Omotoso, the Ekiti State APC Chairman, were among those present.
One of the recommendations was to harmonize the Executive Committees from the ward level to the state level to accommodate all tendencies. Another was to continuously involve all candidates in party assignments, starting with their inclusion in campaign committees to demonstrate their recognition.
