The rhythm of politics often feels like a draft you keep revising — some pages torn out, some paragraphs scribbled, and every so often you stop and wonder if the story will ever read smoothly. That’s about where the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leaders’ Forum in Obokun local government finds itself right now. With the Osun gubernatorial election set for August 8, 2026, the forum is stressing one simple, if not always easy, idea: stick together.
A short statement from the forum’s co-conveners, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Tunji Adesokun, made this clear. They issued a communiqué in Osogbo urging party members to unite behind the party’s chosen candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The message wasn’t dramatic — no grand promises — just a steady push for cohesion. And, well, that’s probably the right tone. When the stakes are high, steady often beats flashy.
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Why unity matters (and why it’s not automatic) It’s tempting to say: of course, a party should unite behind its candidate. But anyone who’s been around politics knows unity doesn’t happen because someone says so. It takes work. The forum argues that if members actually come together — cooperate, campaign, and set aside private grievances — Oyebamiji could win “without stress.” That’s a confident claim. Maybe optimistic, perhaps. But not unbelievable.
The communiqué described Oyebamiji as loyal, committed, and experienced. Those are useful qualities in a candidate; they suggest predictability and steadiness. Yet, real-world campaigns are messy. If leaders at the state and national levels don’t actively manage rivalries and grievances, unity might stay only on paper. The forum appears aware of that risk and is calling on top leaders to step in and smooth things over. That’s sensible — and it’s also mildly urgent.
What the forum wants leaders to do The message isn’t just cheerleading. It contains clear requests:
- Leaders at state and national levels should work to reconcile differing interests and opinions.
- Prevent internal sabotage — a pointed phrase, and not accidental.
- Bring aggrieved members back into the fold after primaries.
- Ask members to drop personal allegiance to other aspirants once the party has a candidate.
There’s a practical logic to this. When primary contests end, loyalties don’t disappear automatically. The forum is reiterating an earlier agreement among APC leaders in the LGA: once the party produces a candidate, members should accept that outcome — regardless of how the candidate was chosen. It’s straightforward advice, though easier said than done.
Grassroots energy — real or hoped-for? The communiqué also promised mobilization at the grassroots level. The forum members say they are in full alignment with Oyebamiji and will work to secure his victory across the local government. I find that optimistic, but you can’t blame them for wanting to sound motivated. Campaigns rely on that rhetoric; sometimes it clicks, sometimes it fizzles.
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One line that caught my attention: the forum believes the electorate is “yearning for the return of APC” in the state. That’s a big claim. It’s plausible, sure — voters often swing back and forth — but “yearning” suggests a clear, active desire. I’d want to see evidence. Still, the forum is trying to paint a picture of momentum, and that has value in politics. Momentum attracts resources and attention. Even if it’s partly aspirational, it can become self-fulfilling.
Praise mixed with a call to action The communiqué also thanked several APC figures: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s national chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, Pa Sola Akinwunmi, and others. It’s a long list — recognition and gratitude are part of party life. But the thanks came alongside a push: while they commended peaceful primaries, they urged leaders to actively bring aggrieved members back on board. So it’s praise, yes, but with a nudge: keep working.
A few human notes — contradictions and cautions If you read the communiqué closely, you find a mix of confidence and caution. On one hand, the forum implies that victory is likely if the party stays together; on the other, they warn of sabotage and divisions that could derail things. That’s human enough — it’s the sort of double-think people often carry. They want to believe in an easy win but are also aware of the threats.
And there’s a tiny rhetorical quirk: the forum urges members to drop allegiance to other aspirants “irrespective of the constitutional mode of choice.” That’s a mouthful and reveals a tension. Some members might feel the process wasn’t perfectly fair, and the forum is basically asking them to accept the result anyway. It’s pragmatic, but it asks people to swallow a potential grievance for the sake of unity. That’s political maturity if it happens. Or it could be brittle if people only pretend to comply.
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Final thought At the end of the day, the forum’s message is plain: unity or trouble. They think Oyebamiji can win, but only if leaders do the work of reconciling differences and preventing internal sabotage. It’s a small, sensible plea — and one that will matter only if it’s backed by real action on the ground.
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