Critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the outer city geo-political zone of Oyo State have commended the party’s leadership for the peaceful conduct of its ward, local government and state congresses, while calling for fair representation at the national level.

The stakeholders, drawn from Akinyele, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole and Ona-Ara local government areas, gave the commendation during their quarterly meeting held at the party’s secretariat along the new Ife Road in Egbeda Local Government Area, Ibadan.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by the Chairman, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, and Secretary, Bashorun Buliaminu Ogundele, the group described the congresses as successful, noting that they were conducted without violence across the 351 wards and 33 local government areas of the state.

They recalled that prior to the exercise, there had been widespread apprehension in many quarters due to past experiences in 2018 and 2022, but said the peaceful outcome had silenced critics and strengthened the party’s internal cohesion.

The stakeholders attributed the success of the congresses to the maturity displayed by party leaders and members, particularly the adoption of a consensus arrangement recommended by the national secretariat.

They said: “Oyo APC has emerged stronger and more focused after the exercise. This achievement was made possible by the collective efforts of leaders, members and supporters of the party, who conducted themselves with decorum throughout the process.”

The group also congratulated former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, on his emergence as the new State Chairman of the party, pledging their support to his leadership in achieving the party’s goals ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While expressing confidence in the new leadership, the stakeholders urged Adeyemo to address lingering disputes in some local government areas with fairness and objectivity in order to sustain unity within the party.

However, the group raised concerns over what it described as the marginalisation of Oyo State in the distribution of positions at the South-West zonal and National Executive Committee levels of the party.

They called on the national leadership of the APC to review the zoning arrangement adopted during the last national convention to ensure equity and inclusiveness.

According to them, Oyo State, with its significant voting strength, population and human resources, deserves better representation in the party’s national structure.

The stakeholders warned that addressing the perceived imbalance was critical to maintaining unity and strengthening the party ahead of future elections.

They stressed the need for fairness and justice in the allocation of party positions, noting that equitable treatment of all states would enhance cohesion and improve the APC’s chances in subsequent electoral contest