_“If you forgive the fox for stealing your chickens, he will come back for your sheep.”_

— _Georgian Proverb_

Some proverbs stay with us because they tell hard truths in plain words. This one does. And for the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, it has become our story. The price has been two straight electoral losses since 2019.

In 2019, party faithful in all 33 LGAs gave their time, money, and loyalty to build the APC. They mobilized in wards, funded meetings, and defended the party in their communities.

When it came to primaries, the process was hijacked. Candidates were imposed. Men and women who had laboured for years were pushed aside overnight. Members felt betrayed.

Instead of correcting the wrong, the appeal came: _“Let us forgive and forget. Let us unite for the party.”_

Because many still believed in the APC ideal, they swallowed the pain. We wrote off the “chickens” and hoped for peace.

But forgiveness without accountability teaches the wrong lesson. It tells the offender the farm has no owner.

By 2023, it happened again — only louder. Imposition was more brazen. More grievances. More loyal members left with their structures, their goodwill, and their votes. After we lost, we heard the same line: _“For the sake of the party, let us close ranks.”_

The “sheep” were taken.

2027: The trailer is already showing.

Today the signs are back. Complaints of imposition are surfacing again. Some voices are already saying the _“train will move with or without those still nursing grievances.”

That statement proves the proverb. A fox that gets away with chickens will always return for bigger prey.

Forgiveness without reform becomes permission. Unity without justice becomes a slogan we chant before another defeat.

Oyo people are politically aware. They watched 2019. They watched 2023. They will not vote for a party that disrespects its own members and expects the public to trust it.

WHAT MUST CHANGE IF WE WANT TO WIN IN 2027

If Oyo APC is serious about reclaiming the state, we must break this cycle. Three things are urgent:

1.FREE AND FAIR PRIMARIES.

The will of party members must count. Aspirants must compete on a level ground and the best candidate must emerge.

Since the governorship primary was conducted without a clear result, the President, as the leader of our party, should immediately convene all 11 aspirants. After wide consultation, the National Leader should guide the party to adopt one candidate that the majority can rally behind. That way, every member can return to the field with one voice.

2.CONSEQUENCES FOR IMPUNITY.

People who subvert internal democracy should not be rewarded with tickets. Rewarding that behavior guarantees more of it.

3.RESPECT FOR THE BASE.

The APC is not a private estate. It was built by the sweat of ordinary members in every ward. Leadership must carry them along, listen to them, and protect the process.

If we don’t change, the pattern is clear:

➡️2019, the chickens were stolen.

➡️2023, the sheep were taken.

➡️2027, we risk losing the entire farm.

A party that refuses to learn from its history will repeat it. A fox that is never checked will keep coming back.

Oyo State deserves a party that learns.

APC members deserve a party that respects them.

The time to stop the fox is now — before members start to grow leprous fingers, when there would be nothing left to protect. A stitch in time…….