Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ibadan Zone, Oyo State, on Thursday, pledged their resolve towards charting a new course for the party.
The Oyo APC members, who converged on the Ibadan Civic Centre, Ibadan, avowed that the party’s new focus is to mobilise all its members, pleaded with members to forgo their misgivings and mobilise for unity, harmony and cooperation.
Various stakeholders who spoke at the meeting harped on the need for commitment, team spirit and love for one another and among the party faithful ahead the 2023 general election.
Noting that the core of the crisis that faced the party ahead the 2019 election emanated from the Ibadan Zone, the various speakers stressed that a united Ibadan Zone would go a long way in repositioning the party in the State.
The meeting had in attendance: former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who was represented by Chief Wale Ohu; State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; former governorship candidate of the party, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Senator Teslim Folarin; Honourable Tolu Akande-Sadipe; Professor Taoheed Adedoja; Dr Fola Akinosun; Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi and Mr Lowo Obisesan.
They attendees noted that the love for the party still dwelled in the hearts of residents of the State and what was essential to reclaim the State was their togetherness and oneness.
The unanimous pledge of support of all gladiators and prospective aspirants for a virile party, as contained in a communiqué signed by Alhaji Adesina Alabi, pointed to the fact that the Oyo APC was poised to reclaim the State come 2023.
Members in attendance further decried calls in some quarters for a boycott of the meeting, urging those who are still aggrieved to, in the interest of having a stronger, virile party to win the 2023 governorship election, shelve their grievances.
Stakeholders at the meeting also asserted readiness for the forthcoming membership registration and revalidation exercise and promised to ensure that a good population of existing and new members are captured in the exercise.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Mr Kayode Adanla, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, Kehinde Subair and Segun Ajanaku.
Parts of the communique read, “Conveners posited 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 Ibadan land to channel a new course and mobilize for unity, harmony and cooperation with a view to repositioning the Party.
“Conveners emphasized that the Meeting was not at the instance of individual, group or bloc of aspirants or those seeking to hijack the Party for selfish reasons.
“Moreso, efforts were made to reach out to all gladiators and prospective aspirants without any exception as they all pledged their support for the bold initiative.
“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.
“Attendees re-echoed the need for oneness and togetherness as this was considered very essential for the APC to bounce back and reclaim its lost glory and thus emerge stronger and more virile.”
Subsequent meetings of the party are billed to hold across the zones of the State.
Dominica Nwabufo
