Those aggrieved by the outcomes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries got soothing words from the chairman of the ruling party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who took responsibilities for post-primary grievances.
He took the responsibility on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) for all the disputes generated by the primaries that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.
Yilwatda said he was tendering a public apology to all aggrieved members over what he described as perceived wrongs for the entrenchment of unity in the party.
The party chair spoke yesterday in Ibadan during the launch of the Oyo State APC Campaign Office, located around Dandaru Junction, Mokola – UCH Road, Ibadan.
Flanked by some NWC members, Yilwatda appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the leadership of the party.
He urged all state party chairmen across the country to take the message of apology to all members of the party.
Yilwatda said: ‘This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.
‘If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On television and before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry.’
The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair
Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.
He noted that through its governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the party is seeking to restore Oyo to its glory days, urging all members to work together in unity.
Alli commended Yilwatda for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.
He appreciated him for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish on their own.
He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.
‘We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,’ Alli said.
He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do what is expected.