2027: Kwara APC elders woo aggrieved G15 members

The Kwara South All Progressives Congress Elders Caucus has appealed to aggrieved members of the party, particularly those in the G15 group, to reconsider their positions and return to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The caucus said it was committed to resolving internal disagreements and reconciling dissatisfied members, warning that the party could not afford to lose its longstanding members as it prepares for what it described as a challenging electoral contest.

The Chairman of the reconstituted caucus, Benjamin Oyeyemi, made the appeal while speaking with The PUNCH in Ilorin on Friday, assuring aggrieved members that the door remained open for reconciliation.

Oyeyemi said disagreements within the party should not be enough reason for members to abandon the APC, adding that the caucus would intensify efforts to reach out to aggrieved stakeholders and address their concerns.

He explained that the caucus planned to strengthen its grassroots engagement through voter outreach and consultations with party members, particularly those dissatisfied with certain developments within the APC.

“Even among the aggrieved members, there are still people who are committed. There will always be issues, but that is not enough to run away from the reality that the election is going to be a challenging one.

“Those in the G15 are part of us, and the line of communication is still open,” Oyeyemi added.

Also speaking, a member of the caucus, Raphael Olalekan, said the elders were determined to bridge divisions within the party and persuade members contemplating defection to remain in the APC.

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“We are one. Let us remind ourselves that politics is local. This is an elders caucus, and what we are concerned about is to work tirelessly to mend our fences and ensure that those who are probably leaving or are at the edge of leaving the party will return,” he said.

Olalekan said the reconciliation effort would focus particularly on addressing the grievances of longstanding members, noting that retaining the party’s existing membership was crucial to its electoral prospects.

“Our target is to make sure that issues are resolved among our aggrieved members ahead of the elections. By the special grace of God, we will win with a landslide victory.

“However, we cannot afford to lose any member of our party who has been part of the journey from the beginning, especially the G15,” he said.

Beyond the reconciliation appeal, the elders endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term and passed a vote of confidence in Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commending his administration’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.

They also endorsed the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, describing him as experienced, competent and capable of sustaining the achievements of the present administration.

The caucus, which comprises elders and stakeholders from the seven local government areas of Kwara South Senatorial District, was reconstituted following the exit of its former chairman, James Ayeni, with Oyeyemi emerging as his successor.

It urged party members, youths, women and other stakeholders in the district to remain united, while calling on security agencies to sustain efforts to protect lives and property across the senatorial district.