By Seyi Odewale
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged the party to use its defeat in the recent governorship election as an opportunity to reposition for victory in the 2027 general elections.
Oyintiloye, who spoke with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, cautioned APC leaders and members against turning the electoral setback into a blame game or targeting individual party leaders.
He said several factors, including candidate appeal, grassroots mobilisation, party cohesion, campaign strategy and voter sentiment, influenced the outcome of an election.
According to him, the party should instead undertake a comprehensive review of its performance and identify the factors responsible for its defeat.
“This is not the time to crucify anybody. It is a time for sober reflection, reconciliation and strategic repositioning,” he said.
Oyintiloye said the APC needed to begin preparations immediately to rebuild its structures and strengthen its support base ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We must start working immediately on how we can reposition the party to garner maximum votes for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections in the state,” he said.
He called for a thorough post-election assessment covering the party’s performance from the polling-unit level to its state structures.
Oyintiloye also urged party leaders to embrace constructive criticism while avoiding recriminations driven by personal grievances or political differences.
He warned that prolonged internal disagreements could undermine the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
“The 2027 general election is already very close. We cannot afford to spend the next period fighting ourselves. The real work of rebuilding must begin now,” he said.
The APC chieftain further called for renewed engagement with grassroots members and voters, urging the party leadership to listen to their concerns and develop strategies for rebuilding public confidence.
He described the Osun governorship defeat as a setback rather than the end of the party’s political prospects, stressing that electoral fortunes could change with effective organisation and strategic repositioning
