Dare Hosts APC Leaders To Strategise On Repositioning Party

Special adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications and former minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) defeat in the recent Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election was not a defeat but an indication that the party has a lot of work to do ahead of the 2027 general election.

The president’s aide stated this while speaking with newsmen at a meeting with key stakeholders of the APC in Oyo State to review the outcome of the by-election and chart a new course ahead of the general elections.

Dare reiterated his confidence in the party’s future in Oyo State, stressing that the setback was not a defeat but a reminder of the work ahead.

As a proud son of Oyo State, I firmly believe the APC has a bright future. The Ibadan North by-election result is a wake-up call, and we are already taking steps to reposition the party.

“Our structures are being realigned, and efforts are ongoing to bring everyone on board as we march toward 2027,” he stated.

Akin Onigbinde, SAN, the party chieftain and former state House 9f Assembly Chief, expressed optimism that the APC would bounce back stronger if unity and discipline were embraced.

“The APC is working tirelessly to correct lapses and build a stronger platform. I am confident that the party will be victorious in 2027. I urge our members who are dissatisfied with the by-election outcome to remain hopeful, because things will soon take the right shape,” he said.

Chief Wale Ohu emphasised the importance of peace and reconciliation within the party, saying, “The Ibadan North By-Election has shown us that we still have a lot of work to do. But this is not the time for disunity.

“The APC must remain peaceful and united to secure greater results in future elections. We are putting the house in order,” Ohu said.

A source at the meeting disclosed that discussions went beyond the by-election to broader strategies for strengthening the APC across all zones in Oyo State, grassroots mobilisation, reconciliation of aggrieved members, and strengthening of party structures ahead of the 2027 elections were said to be at the heart of deliberations.

Political observers in Ibadan view Sunday’s meeting as the first in a series of strategic consultations that could reposition the APC as a formidable opposition in Oyo State, where the ruling party currently enjoys dominance.

As the dust settles on the Ibadan North By-Election, the APC leadership in Oyo State appears focused on healing divisions, building unity, and preparing for what they describe as a “brighter future” for the party come 2027.

The high-level parley, hosted at the Ibadan residence of Chief Sunday Akin Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications and former minister of Youths and Sports, brought together prominent party figures including Chief Akin Onigbinde, SAN, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly; a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State; and Chief Wale Ohu, Co-Chair of the APC Peace Advocate, Hon. Afeez Repete among other party leaders and mobilizers.

The by-election, which many analysts described as a litmus test for the party’s preparedness, ended in a result that exposed divisions within the APC and highlighted the need for internal cohesion.