Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu called on Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Chairman, to leverage the recent electoral successes in Edo and Ondo States to wrest Oyo State from the control of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Adelabu’s plea was made on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja, where he was accompanied by Oyo State APC executives and lawmakers.
Adelabu, who previously contested for the governorship in Oyo State, blamed the APC’s loss in the 2023 election on internal divisions within the party, which he argued undermined the party’s electoral chances. The minister expressed optimism that with renewed unity and collective efforts, the APC could regain control of Oyo State.
He emphasized that the party had learned valuable lessons from past mistakes, particularly the importance of unity and reconciliation among factions.
“We want you to help guide and support our state chairman, so that he can achieve the success you have demonstrated at the national level, for the first time, after the last elections, Oyo APC can now speak with one voice. There is no faction in Oyo State APC anymore, and we are more determined than ever before to reclaim governance in Oyo State.”
The former gubernatorial candidate highlighted that despite the divisions in 2019, Oyo APC had a strong grassroots presence, evidenced by the party’s two senators and approximately ten House of Representatives members.
He also reassured the APC leadership that the state’s party machinery was now fully aligned and ready for the upcoming political challenges.
While expressing his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, Adelabu also lauded Ganduje for his role in stabilizing the APC, not only in Oyo but also across other states.
In his response, Ganduje welcomed the resolution of the internal conflicts in Oyo and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to take back the state. He reiterated that Oyo was part of the APC’s political strategy for the future, urging Adelabu and his team to conduct a large-scale stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan that would consolidate the APC’s unity and increase its visibility among voters.
“Oyo is part of our blueprint for political party homogeneity. We have been looking for unity and uniformity in the state, which we are now seeing, you must organize a mega stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan to bring all party members together. That is how we can ensure we are connected with the electorate and intimidate the opposition.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Ganduje stressed the importance of recovering lost seats, particularly those in the House of Representatives, after the untimely death of some APC lawmakers. “The seat belongs to the APC, and it is our duty to see that we recover it,” he said, urging Oyo APC to prepare thoroughly for the next electoral cycle.
