Members of the All Progressives Congress in Ibaka Ward 1, Oka-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, have reconciled their differences and pledged to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reconciliation took place during a get-together organised by members of the party, where over 100 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party were also received into the APC.
The development followed the party’s primary elections, with stakeholders appealing to aggrieved members to put their differences aside and unite behind the candidates produced by the party.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chief of Staff to the member representing Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Adebayo Ayesire, described the event as a sign that the party had overcome its internal divisions.
Ayesire, a former state auditor, said the presence of members from different political camps demonstrated that the APC remained united.
He said, “In a party, there will always be differences, but after the primary, we must come together as one family. APC is a large party and we must resolve our differences amicably.”
He expressed confidence in the ability of the party’s candidates to win the 2027 elections, saying reconciliation efforts were being intensified across the state to bring members together.
Ayesire added that it would be counterproductive for members of the ruling party to work against its candidates, stressing the need for unity to secure electoral victories.
Also speaking, an aide to Adefarati and party stakeholder, Kazeem Jafaru, popularly known as Jafo, said the gathering was aimed at reconciling members who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s primaries.
Jafaru, the Special Adviser on Youth and Student Affairs to Adefarati, urged members to accept the outcome of the primaries and support the candidates selected by the party.
He said, “The primary election is over and done with. We are appealing to our members to reconcile, be patient and work for the party because APC is one big family.”
Jafaru disclosed that more than 100 people, mostly youths, had defected from the PDP to the APC in the ward.
He urged party members to remain committed to the APC, saying internal disagreements should not be allowed to affect the party’s prospects in the general elections.
Another stakeholder, Ashore Oluwashinayomi, welcomed the defectors and called for greater unity among APC members.
He described disagreements arising from the primaries as a family affair and urged members to work together to deliver the party’s candidates.
“Anything that happened during the primary was a family affair and a pre-election matter. We should all come together and ensure that we mobilise and vote massively for our candidates,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Odudu Olawunmi commended the APC leaders and members for the warm reception given to the new entrants.
He pledged the defectors’ support for the APC and expressed confidence that their membership would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.