The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has appealed to aggrieved aspirants who contested its House of Assembly primary election to sheathe their swords and work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections.

The appeal was made on Sunday in Ibadan during a meeting between the party’s House of Assembly Reconciliation Committee and aspirants and candidates who participated in the primaries.

The meeting was attended by the APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; his running mate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji; Senator Olufemi Lanlehin; Professor Taheed Adedoja and other party chieftains.

Some of the aspirants had expressed grievances over the emergence of candidates in the primary election.

Addressing the aspirants, the Co-Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Hon. Abisoye Fagade, urged them to cooperate with the party’s leadership and put the overall interest of the party above personal ambitions.

Fagade, who is also the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), assured the aspirants that their loyalty and commitment to the party would be rewarded.

Reading the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, he called on members, leaders, stakeholders and supporters of the party to embrace reconciliation and shun divisive tendencies.

He said: “The Reconciliation Committee expresses its profound appreciation to all the aforementioned aspirants for their magnanimity, patriotism, maturity and commitment to the unity and progress of the party.

“The committee further calls on all members, leaders, stakeholders and supporters of the APC in Oyo State to embrace the spirit of reconciliation, eschew divisive tendencies and work collectively towards building a stronger, more united and electorally formidable party.

“The committee particularly commends the aspirants for placing the overall interest of the party above individual interests and for demonstrating a willingness to work collectively towards strengthening the APC across the state.”

Fagade was flanked by the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Mufutau Adisa, and its Secretary, Dr Rotimi Okeowo.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Alli described the development as evidence of progress in the party’s efforts to unite its members ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the reconciliation process had strengthened the party’s prospects of winning the state.

“I am happy. I told you two weeks ago when we had the other one that we are forging ahead. And we have recorded a lot of progress in APC ahead of 2027. This is an indication that we will win the forthcoming general elections in Oyo State,” Alli said.