PHOTOS: Oyo APC reunites ahead of 2023 elections

Ibadanland stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in  Oyo state, gathered on Thursday to  mend fences  to reposition the party ahead of the 2023 elections.

The stakeholders, who gathered at the Ibadan Civic Centre,  also emphasized that the meeting was not at the instance of individual, group or bloc of aspirants or those seeking to hijack for selfish reasons, adding that efforts were made to reach out to all gladiators and prospective aspirants without any exception as they all pledged their support for the initiative.

The meeting had in attendance, the party’s caretaker chairman and secretary in the state , Chief Akin Oke, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya , Sen. Teslim Folarin, Chief. Bayo  Adelabu, Professors Taoreed Adedoja, and  Soji Adejumo.

Others included, Hon. Tolulope Akande Sadipe , Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, Prince Abbas Aleshinloye, Dr. Fola Akinosun, local government chairmen and councilors in Ibadanland ; among other party faithful .

Also, the trio of Prof. Adeolu Akande, Senator Adesoji Akanbi and Chief Niyi Akintola were well represented at the meeting.

According to the communique signed by Alhaji Adesina Alabi for Meeting Conveners and Communique Drafting Committee, the stakeholders informed  that the meeting was the brainchild of some concerned members of Oyo APC who feel the need for Progressive family members across the eleven Local Government Areas of Ibadanland to channel a new course and mobilize for unity, harmony and cooperation with a view to repositioning the party.

They further re-echoed the need for oneness and togetherness, stressing that this was considered very essential for the party to bounce back and reclaim its lost glory and thus emerge stronger and more virile.

Also contained in the communique, the conveners regretted the step taken by some faceless people to discredit the meeting through what they described as sponsored noise in the mass media which was aimed at discouraging genuine members and delegates from attending the meeting.

The party’s fanatic loyalists lauded conveners for the efforts made towards strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.

However, the stakeholders again , appealed to those behind the tagged futile call for boycott of the meeting to have a rethink and join others to rebuild Oyo APC if they were genuine in their claims as members of the Party.

The communique read, “Stakeholders at the Meeting were, therefore, unanimous in their call for more commitment, team spirit and love for one another among Party faithful as the 2023 general election beckons.

“At the Meeting, it was reported that Progressive elements from Ibarapa axis expressed their desire to be carried along in the efforts to reflect Ibadanland/Ibarapaland Agenda for the APC.

It continued, “Stakeholders welcomed briefing from the National Headquarters of the APC ahead of the forthcoming membership registration and revalidation exercise which they promised to accord all necessary support to ensure that a good population of existing and new members are captured in the exercise.

“Conveners expressed gratitude to eminent party leaders especially former governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who was represented at the Meeting by Chief Wale Ohu and also the State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Akin Oke”.