Lesson From Osun Election: The Urgent Need For Genuine Reconciliation And Unity Within Oyo APC | Matthew Oyedokun
The just-concluded Osun State election provides important lessons for all stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Oyo State. Beyond the immediate outcome of the election, there are broader political lessons that should compel every leader, aspirant, stakeholder and party member to reflect deeply on the consequences of division and the enormous benefits of genuine reconciliation, unity and collective purpose.
Elections are won and lost, but political parties and their structures must endure beyond individual contests. The strength of any political party is ultimately determined by the degree of unity among its members, the credibility of its internal processes, the capacity of its leaders to manage disagreements and the willingness of its various tendencies to place the collective interest above personal ambitions.
The experience of Osun should therefore serve as a wake-up call to Oyo APC. We must not wait until another election exposes our internal weaknesses before taking decisive steps to build a truly united party.
Genuine Reconciliation, Not Superficial Settlement
There is an urgent need for genuine reconciliation within Oyo APC. Reconciliation must go beyond photographs, handshakes and public declarations. It must address the grievances, mistrust and disagreements that have accumulated over time.
Every aspirant and stakeholder who has participated in previous contests must be given a sense of belonging. Those who lost elections or internal party contests must not be treated as political enemies, while those who emerged victorious must equally recognise that victory creates a responsibility to unite the party.
We must move from “winner takes all” politics to inclusive politics.
The Party Must Be Bigger Than Individual Ambitions
Political ambition is legitimate and necessary in a democracy. However, individual ambition must never become greater than the party itself.
Every aspirant should understand that today’s aspirant may become tomorrow’s candidate, supporter, campaigner or party leader. Consequently, the politics of bitterness, exclusion and permanent division is ultimately counterproductive.
What Oyo APC needs at this moment is a political culture where every stakeholder can contest fairly, accept the outcome of legitimate processes and continue to contribute meaningfully to the success of the party.
The Osun experience reminds us that internal cohesion is an electoral asset. A party may possess experienced leaders, a strong political structure and committed members, but internal disagreements can significantly weaken its capacity to mobilise effectively.
Oyo APC must therefore learn to resolve disagreements before they become crises.
Our leaders must create regular platforms for consultation among party executives, elected representatives, former office holders, aspirants, youth leaders, women leaders and other critical stakeholders. Dialogue should not begin only when an election is approaching.
Respect for Internal Democracy
Another important lesson is the need to strengthen confidence in the party’s internal processes.
Where members believe that the rules are clear, fair and consistently applied, they are more likely to accept outcomes. Where members feel excluded or marginalised, resentment grows and the party becomes vulnerable to internal fragmentation.
I therefore call on the leadership of Oyo APC to continue strengthening mechanisms for fairness, transparency, consultation and inclusiveness in all party activities.
A Call to Aspirants and Political Leaders
I appeal particularly to all present and prospective aspirants to demonstrate statesmanship.
No political ambition should be pursued at the expense of the long-term survival of the APC in Oyo State. Aspirants should see one another as members of the same political family rather than permanent opponents.
Those who emerge should reach out to those who do not. Those who do not emerge should support the collective decision of the party while continuing to make their legitimate contributions to its growth.
The time to reconcile is now—not after the emergence of candidates.
We should not wait until the eve of the next election before attempting to repair relationships. Genuine reconciliation requires time, sincerity, humility and continuous engagement.
I therefore call on the Oyo State APC leadership and all stakeholders to establish a sustained reconciliation and unity process that will bring together the various tendencies within the party and create a new atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and cooperation.
Our objective should be clear: one APC, united in purpose, inclusive in structure and focused on victory through democratic means.
The APC in Oyo State has enormous political potential. What we need is the collective wisdom to manage our differences, the humility to forgive one another and the courage to put the future of the party above individual interests.
The lesson from Osun should not be about who won or who lost. The greater lesson should be about what a political party must do to remain competitive, cohesive and capable of winning the confidence of its people.
Let us reconcile genuinely. Let us unite sincerely. Let us build an inclusive Oyo APC. Let the interest of the party and the people of Oyo State come first.
Hon. Dr. Matthew Oyedokun, PhD
Oyo State APC Stakeholder
16 August 2026
