The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Dayo Israel, has blamed the party’s defeat in the Osun State governorship election on internal division, weak reconciliation and fragmented mobilisation, warning that the issues could undermine the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the outcome of the election, Israel said the defeat should compel the APC to undertake an honest assessment of its organisational weaknesses rather than resort to blame-shifting or excuses.

He acknowledged the pain of the loss but said the party must respect the decision of the electorate, congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke and the people of Osun State while commending the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, party members, agents and volunteers.

According to him, the latest defeat reflects some of the same problems that contributed to the party’s poor performance in the 2022 Osun governorship election, particularly divisions within the party and inadequate reconciliation of aggrieved members and political leaders.

Israel recalled his experience during the 2022 election, saying efforts were made to reconcile members across political divides, including engagement with former party leaders who had broken away from the APC.

He argued that despite the efforts made during that election, division, weak reconciliation and fragmented mobilisation ultimately overwhelmed the party’s campaign.

“Four years later, some of those lessons remain unlearned,” he said, stressing that no political organisation could consistently win statewide contests while disregarding internal cohesion and its established structures.

The APC youth leader also criticised what he described as the sidelining of the party’s constitutionally recognised youth and women structures during campaigns.

He said the National Youth Wing should not be activated merely to fill stadiums, while the Women’s Wing should not be reduced to ceremonial participation. Rather, he argued, both structures should be strategically integrated into campaign planning and grassroots mobilisation.

Israel further faulted the party’s failure to sustain structured engagement and oversight during the Osun campaign, noting that the National Working Committee did not formally meet to review progress, assess strategy and recalibrate its direction after the campaign council was inaugurated.

He warned that such weaknesses could have serious implications for 2027 if left unresolved.

According to him, the APC must embrace genuine reconciliation, accommodate different interests and rebuild trust among members and political stakeholders.

“We cannot continue with a ‘to your tents, O Israel’ approach and expect victory,” he said, arguing that politics requires addition, humility, accommodation and strategic reconciliation.

Israel noted that the APC had demonstrated the ability to expand its political base in other states by bringing opposition figures and governors into its fold, arguing that Osun should not be treated differently.

He also urged the party to begin its 2027 preparations early by establishing campaign structures well ahead of elections, properly funding them and assigning clear responsibilities and measurable targets.

Beyond internal reconciliation, Israel said the party must reconnect with young Nigerians, women, community organisers, professionals and grassroots influencers whose support could determine the outcome of future elections.

He pointed to Governor Adeleke’s grassroots appeal and the role played by music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, in youth mobilisation as lessons the APC should study.

Israel said the Osun election had demonstrated that electoral success was not determined solely by elite political structures but also by emotional connection, cultural identification, grassroots presence and effective mobilisation.

He urged APC leaders to treat the Osun defeat as a warning ahead of 2027, saying the party must rebuild its internal structures, reconcile its factions and replace ceremonial campaign arrangements with sustained grassroots organisation.

“Osun has spoken. The APC must now listen,” he said.