A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has called on factions within the party to resolve their differences and unite to defeat Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Aborisade, a legal practitioner, said the party’s chances of winning the governorship election would be significantly weakened if its members failed to close ranks and present a united front against their political opponents.

He spoke during a media interview while discussing the crisis over the ADC’s governorship ticket in Oyo State and the prospects of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to reconcile the rival factions, despite the legal dispute over the party’s governorship primary.

“If we want to win, we must come together as one to defeat the incumbent party and the APC. Unless they come together, it may be difficult,” he said.

Aborisade said he was personally involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, expressing optimism that the factions could reach an agreement before the end of October.

He maintained, however, that the dispute over the governorship ticket remained before the court, insisting that the judicial process would determine the legitimate candidate.

According to him, the faction he belongs to won the primary conducted on May 22, 2026, which he said was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services and the police.

He alleged that a rival faction conducted another primary on May 23, after the earlier exercise had produced a winner, and argued that the subsequent exercise was not monitored by INEC.

Aborisade also alleged that members of the rival faction had influenced the removal of his faction’s candidates from the electoral commission’s list. He said the matter was in court and expressed confidence that justice would prevail.

He dismissed concerns that INEC’s October 24 deadline for parties to submit complaints would prevent the court from determining the dispute, arguing that the commission would be bound by a valid court order.

However, he acknowledged that the controversy was affecting the party’s campaign, stressing that reconciliation remained necessary to strengthen its electoral prospects.

Aborisade also criticised the administration of Governor Makinde, accusing it of lacking transparency and restricting the autonomy of local governments.

He said an ADC government would prioritise accountability and grant local councils greater autonomy to enable them to deliver development projects in their communities.

“First, transparency,” he said, describing accountability as a major priority for the party if elected into government.

He also promised to protect residents’ property rights, alleging that the state government’s approach to land acquisition and demolitions associated with the proposed circular road had caused hardship for affected residents.

Aborisade said the party had developed programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents, including policies on education and the movement of agricultural produce from Oke-Ogun to markets.

He expressed confidence that voters would assess political parties based on their candidates’ qualities and policy proposals rather than internal disagreements.

The ADC chieftain also called for better conflict-management mechanisms within Nigerian political parties, citing the crisis involving Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike as an example of political disagreements that could have been handled more effectively.

He argued that political leaders should exercise restraint and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than allowing disagreements to undermine their parties.

On the national political scene, Aborisade maintained that the ADC was well positioned to provide an alternative to the ruling APC in 2027, arguing that the country’s economic difficulties made a change of government necessary.

He said opposition parties should continue exploring possibilities for cooperation to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the next general elections.

Aborisade urged ADC members in Oyo State to put aside their differences, insisting that unity, effective organisation and a credible policy agenda would be crucial to the party’s ambition of taking control of the state in 2027.