Kwara APC Elders Reach Out to G15 Members Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Kwara South All Progressives Congress Elders Caucus has asked unhappy members of the party, especially those in the G15 group, to rethink their decisions and come back to the APC as the 2027 general elections approach.

The caucus stated it is dedicated to fixing internal issues and bringing back dissatisfied members. They warned that the party cannot afford to lose its long-standing members as it prepares for what they call a tough election.

Benjamin Oyeyemi, the Chairman of the reconstituted caucus, made this appeal while chatting with The PUNCH in Ilorin on Friday. He assured the aggrieved members that they can still reconcile.

Oyeyemi mentioned that disagreements should not push members to leave the APC. He added that the caucus will make more efforts to talk to unhappy members and hear their concerns.

He explained that the caucus wants to boost grassroots engagement through outreach to voters and discussions with party members, especially those upset with some happenings in the APC.

"Even among the aggrieved members, there are still people who are committed. There will always be issues, but that is not enough to run away from the reality that the election is going to be a challenging one.

"Those in the G15 are part of us, and the line of communication is still open," Oyeyemi said.

Raphael Olalekan, another member of the caucus, shared that the elders want to heal divisions in the party and persuade members thinking of leaving to stay with the APC.

"We are one. Let us remind ourselves that politics is local. This is an elders caucus, and what we are concerned about is to work tirelessly to mend our fences and ensure that those who are probably leaving or are at the edge of leaving the party will return," he stated.

Olalekan also said that the reconciliation effort will focus on the issues of long-term members, stressing that keeping the party’s current members is key to winning elections.

"Our target is to make sure that issues are resolved among our aggrieved members ahead of the elections. By the special grace of God, we will win with a landslide victory.

"However, we cannot afford to lose any member of our party who has been part of the journey from the beginning, especially the G15," he said.

Aside from the call for reconciliation, the elders also backed President Bola Tinubu for a second term. They expressed confidence in Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, praising his administration’s work in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

They also supported Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. They described him as experienced, capable, and able to continue the successes of the current administration.

The caucus, which includes elders and stakeholders from all seven local government areas in Kwara South Senatorial District, was reformed after the former chairman, James Ayeni, left. Oyeyemi took over as the new chairman.

They urged party members, youths, women, and other stakeholders in the district to stay united. They also called on security agencies to keep working to protect lives and property in the senatorial district.