The Forum of Former Local Government Party Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called for unity, forgiveness, and the urgent rebuilding of the party to restore its lost strength and reposition it for victory in the 2027 general elections.

This resolution was reached at a strategic meeting held on April 17, 2025, in Oyo Town, where the former party helmsmen reflected on the current comatose state of the party in the state and the need for collective action to avert a repeat of past electoral misfortunes.

In a communique signed by key officials of the Forum including Chairman, Prince Aderemi Oni (Ibadan South West), Secretary, Adeyefa Ganiyu (Afijio), and PRO, Alhaji M.O. Elegbede (Kajola), the group likened their emotional state to the biblical lamentation of the Israelites by the rivers of Babylon, mourning the setbacks and internal divisions that have plagued the party in recent years.

The Forum emphasized the necessity of sober reflection and sincere reconciliation among party stakeholders, noting that failure in the 2019 and 2023 elections should serve as a wake-up call for genuine reform, inclusion, and a recommitment to the founding principles of progressivism.

“We must be wise enough to learn from our past mistakes. Only by forgiveness and collective responsibility can we revive the APC and restore public trust,” the Forum declared.

They observed that despite the historic preference of Nigerians—especially South Westerners—for progressive politics dating back to the era of the Action Group, Unity Party of Nigeria, and the Alliance for Democracy, the APC in Oyo State has struggled to manage internal crisis, reward loyalty, and effectively coordinate grassroots mobilization.

“It is unfortunate that while the Progressives have often found ways to rise legitimately to power, we have repeatedly failed to manage success due to poor crisis management and lack of forgiveness among ourselves,” the statement read.

In a series of practical suggestions, the Forum urged the party to:

Recognize that the challenges facing the APC are collective, requiring unity, forgiveness, and shared commitment to rebuilding.

Avoid aspirational divisions until a strong and value-driven party structure is restored.

Return to rewarding loyalty, integrity, honesty, and competence, rather than pandering to money politics.

Balance the roles of technocrats and grassroots democrats in governance and political structure, emphasizing the mobilization efforts of party men as vital to electoral success.

The Forum clarified that their initiative is not in competition with the current leadership of the party in the state, but a complementary effort aimed at strengthening internal democracy and fostering long-lasting unity.

“We pledge our total support to the current administration of the party and will continue to offer ideas and assistance towards restoring the APC to its winning ways in Oyo State.”

Other signatories to the resolution included:

Alhaji Bukola Badmus (Ogbomosho South)

Alhaji Lateef Ajiboye (Ibarapa East)

Alhaji Ibrahim Agbedo (Egbeda)

Alhaji Jelili Asukuna (Ibadan North West)

David Babatunde (Ibarapa Central)

Alhaji Alade Wahab (Oorelope)

Alhaji Aderemi Sodiqi (Ibadan South West)

Alhaji Kareem Adebayo (Saki West)

Moshood Wahab (Oorelope)

Kehinde Adeleke JP (Lagelu)

As 2027 approaches, the former chairmen called on party elders, women, youth, and sincere members of conscience to rally behind efforts aimed at restoring the glory of the APC in Oyo state.

 

THE MEETING OF APC FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS PARTY CHAIRMEN FORUM IN OYO STATE.

OBSERVATION AND RESOLUTION ON THE PRESENT STATE OF APC HELD @ OYO TOWN ON 17TH OF APRIL 2025.

THE LAMENTATION OF ISRAELITES BY THE RIVER SIDE OF BABYLON.

 

Special message to APC IN OYO state as 2027 election is a task that must be done with special / due respect and honour to the party Authority at all levels , leaders/ elders, women, Youth, stakeholders and all members who were sincere with their conscience for the survival, and success of APC IN OYO state come year 2027.

We the former APC Local Government party chairman Forum , in Appreciation of the opportunity and privilege given to us to have lead the party at our various local government consider in necessary and timely to contribute to the effort to right those wrongs that lead to our party’s failure in 2019 and 2023 General Election , as only the wise men will learn from their past mistakes.

Once again we thanked and appreciate APC for choosing us amongst the lot of qualified material in the party to SERVED which we saw as a big opportunity that showcased the potential in us.

As a result of these we can not feel unconcerned with the plight of the party,because the platform that lifted us up must not fall.

Based on our wealth of experience while in office, we have mobilized ourselves into a forum, meeting from time to time, crossbreeding ideas on the solutions and way forward to bring our party back into formidable and as strong as before in preparation for future elections.

Before setting out an any mission, one must have clear vision on how to achieve success or else it will result in effort in futility. As a result of this we have deliberated and come up with these 2 (TWO)points. Observations and suggestion.

OBSERVATION

( 1). We observe that Nigerians, especially the south westerner love and preferred the principle and policy of the progressives in politics not minding the party name or logo for instance.

(a) Action Group

(b) Unity party of Nigeria

(c) Social Democratic Party(of then)

( d) Alliance for Democracy

e) Action Congress

(f) All Progressives Congress

(2)Reason why the general public loved and always support ” The Progressives ” is that their program and system of governance favour the down throding and promote general progress in all areas where they have opportunity to have ruled. We thank God that this is the first time the progressives will get to the central in the history of that this is the first time that progressives will get to the central in the history of Nigeria.

3. It is a pity that The Progressives knows how to climb the ladder to the top legally and legitimately but did not know how to manage it the top. Also as we discovered that practical politics is more of management of crisis than any other things. It is game of numbers that quality all, no Matter the status, in as much the fellow can recognize the logo of the party for Voting.

4. Because of their sincerity of purpose ,loyalist and absolutely honesty, whenever anyone of them misbehave they finds it difficult if not totally impossible to forgive the offender (No opportunity for a second chance).

5. It is only in the progressives that member of the party were sure that their efforts and contributions certainly will be rewarded sooner or later. But the situation has Changed.

SUGGESTION

1. We need to agree that the present situation of the PARTY is a collective responsibility of all and no one have justification of acuse other. Instead , we must forgive and forget the past and work together to rebuild APC.

2. forgiveness of ourselves is a must if any meaningful turnaround will happen on the present state of comatose in which the party is now.

3. Dividing ourselves along side aspiration will spell doom for the party now as there must be a value, formidable and strong party before the issue of who will represent the party at any stage.

4. The party must go back to the principal and policy of recognising and appreciation (a) Loyalty, (b) Honesty (c) Integrity and ( d) Competency as against the highest bidder which is destroying the nums and value of the progressives.

5. Placing the technocrats above the democrats can never bring good results.We agree that both the technocrats and democrats were essential in civil rule, because while the democrats mobilize the public with the manifesto and programs of the party, the technocrats see to implementation of policies and programs of the government. But if there is no government where will the technocrats work? The democrats should not be taken for road side labourers which we pay of after an assignment.

At this point , we need to state clear to all that we are not parallel PR complete with the present administration of the party but wish to compliment their efforts in finding solution to the problem in the party. Also we are using this opportunity to pledge our total support to the present party adminstration and promise not to do anything that will negate all their positive efforts.

Chairman: Prince Aderemi Oni – Ibadan South West

Secretary : Adeyefa Ganiyu – Afijio

Ass secretary: Alhaji bukola Badmus – Ogbomosho South

Treasurer: Alhaji Lateef Ajiboye – Ibarapa East

PRO: Alhaji Elegbede M.O – Kajola

Auditor: Alhaji Alade Wahab – Oorelope

Organising Secretary : Alhaji Ibrahim Agbedo – Egbeda

Alhaji Jelili Asukuna -Ibadan North West

Alhaji Aderemi Sodiqi – Ibadan North West

Evangelist David Babatunde – Ibarapa Central

Alhaji Kareem Adebayo – Shaki West

Moshood Wahab – Oorelope

Alhaji Kehinde Adeleke Jp- Lagelu