Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin has demonstrated uncommon political maturity, courage and leadership by extending his support to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, despite lingering grievances arising from the party’s governorship primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Folarin’s position, which emerged during his address to loyalists, supporters and party leaders following his return from an assignment entrusted to him within the Presidential Campaign Council of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents an encouraging development in the ongoing efforts to rebuild confidence, promote reconciliation and strengthen the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.
Having watched his address with keen interest, I consider his decision to publicly identify with Senator Alli a significant demonstration of political responsibility. At a time when internal disagreements threaten to weaken the cohesion of political parties, the willingness of a prominent leader to subordinate personal disappointment to a broader collective objective deserves recognition and thoughtful consideration.
My satisfaction with this development is rooted in my consistent advocacy for peace, unity and reconciliation within the APC. Political parties are naturally characterised by competing interests, divergent ambitions and occasional disagreements. However, the ability of their leaders to manage such differences constructively often determines whether those disagreements become permanent divisions or opportunities to build stronger relationships.
Two fundamental aspects of Folarin’s address particularly captured my attention and deserve closer examination.
The first was his sincerity in acknowledging his grievances and explaining the circumstances surrounding his disappointment with the outcome of the governorship primary. Rather than conceal his feelings or pretend that the political process had left him entirely satisfied, he openly acknowledged the emotional and personal implications of a prolonged political ambition that did not culminate in the desired outcome.
His reflection on the years invested in pursuing the governorship seat underscored the depth of his political commitment and the understandable disappointment that can accompany an unsuccessful bid for such an important office.
Indeed, political ambition is often built over many years through consultations, grassroots mobilisation, party service, financial commitments and the cultivation of relationships with supporters and stakeholders. Consequently, when the outcome of an electoral contest fails to favour an aspirant, the resulting disappointment should not automatically be interpreted as disloyalty or an unwillingness to contribute to the party’s success.
Folarin’s willingness to acknowledge these realities offers an important lesson in political communication and conflict resolution. Genuine reconciliation begins with an honest recognition of grievances, followed by meaningful engagement and a sincere commitment to finding common ground. It cannot be sustained by dismissing the concerns of aggrieved stakeholders or demanding unquestioning loyalty without addressing the circumstances that produced the disagreements.
His position, therefore, reinforces the need for the APC leadership to create an atmosphere in which every stakeholder feels heard, respected and valued, irrespective of the outcome of the party’s internal contests.
The second aspect of Folarin’s address that deserves commendation was his recognition of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as a capable politician, notwithstanding the differences and grievances that may have existed between them.
This acknowledgment is particularly significant because political disagreements can sometimes become so deeply entrenched that individuals lose sight of the qualities, contributions and legitimate interests of those on the opposing side of an internal contest. In such circumstances, personal differences risk becoming obstacles to constructive engagement and collective progress.
Folarin’s recognition of Alli’s political qualities demonstrates an ability to distinguish between disagreements over political outcomes and an assessment of another leader’s capacity. It also reflects the maturity required to engage with fellow party members on the basis of shared interests rather than allowing personal disappointment to dictate every subsequent political decision.
In my assessment, this willingness to recognise merit beyond the boundaries of personal ambition is one of the defining characteristics of responsible political leadership.
By publicly extending his support to Alli, Folarin has sent a message that the APC’s future in Oyo State should not be determined solely by the competing ambitions that characterised the governorship primary. Rather, the party must now focus on building a common platform capable of accommodating divergent interests while pursuing its broader electoral objectives.
The significance of this development extends beyond the relationship between the two senators. It speaks directly to the future of the APC as a political organisation seeking to consolidate its structures, maintain the confidence of its members and improve its electoral competitiveness ahead of 2027.
For reconciliation to produce meaningful results, however, it must go beyond public declarations of solidarity. It requires sustained consultations, mutual respect, fairness in the distribution of political opportunities and a demonstrable willingness to accommodate legitimate concerns.
Senator Alli, as the party’s governorship candidate, has an important role to play in this process. His ability to engage constructively with aggrieved aspirants, their supporters and other influential stakeholders could help transform the present reconciliation drive into a durable political alliance.
Similarly, other party leaders must recognise that unity cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. Those who have invested their time, resources and political influence in the development of the party deserve to be treated with dignity and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to its future.
The APC must also understand that internal reconciliation is not merely a tactical arrangement designed to secure electoral victory. It is an essential component of institutional stability, political trust and organisational development. A party that successfully manages internal competition is better positioned to mobilise its members, communicate a coherent message and respond effectively to the expectations of the electorate.
Folarin’s intervention therefore provides an opportunity for the party to move beyond the immediate disagreements surrounding the primary and begin the more demanding work of rebuilding relationships across its various political blocs.
His return from the assignment entrusted to him within President Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council also places his call for unity within a broader political context. The success of the APC’s electoral ambitions in Oyo State will require coordination among its leaders, candidates, grassroots mobilisers and supporters across the state’s political constituencies.
In this regard, the willingness of influential figures to work together, despite previous disagreements, could prove valuable in strengthening the party’s campaign organisation and improving its prospects in the forthcoming elections.
I therefore commend Distinguished Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin for taking what I consider a bold and commendable step towards reconciliation. His conduct demonstrates that political disagreements need not become permanent barriers to cooperation and that personal disappointment can coexist with a commitment to collective responsibility.
I also wish Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, all APC candidates and the entire APC family success in their political endeavours. I hope that the emerging spirit of understanding will inspire other stakeholders who may still harbour grievances to embrace dialogue and explore opportunities for reconciliation.
Those who remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary should not feel that their concerns are irrelevant. Rather, they should be encouraged to participate in constructive engagement, while the party leadership must demonstrate through its actions that reconciliation is a shared responsibility requiring concessions, understanding and good faith from all sides.
Ultimately, the strength of a political party is not measured by the absence of disagreements among its members but by its ability to resolve those disagreements without sacrificing its unity or common purpose.
From Faaja to Agodi-Straight, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin has demonstrated that leadership sometimes requires the courage to acknowledge personal grievances while making room for cooperation in pursuit of a larger objective. His decision offers an important reminder that political maturity is reflected not merely in the pursuit of personal ambition but also in the ability to build bridges when circumstances demand it.
Senator Folarin, you have demonstrated leadership in a manner worthy of recognition. I sincerely commend you for this gesture and look forward to similar acts of understanding, restraint and reconciliation from other stakeholders who share comparable grievances.
May this development mark the beginning of a more united, inclusive and determined APC in Oyo State as the party prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the 2027 general elections.
