The All Progressives Congress (APC) State Woman Leader in Oyo State and Tinubu Torch Bearer (TTB), Dr Adekemi Opatunde, has called for unity among party members, urging stakeholders to put aside personal grievances and work collectively towards victory in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement titled, “If I Must Kneel: My Appeal for Unity”, Opatunde appealed to party elders, youths, women and loyal members across the state to remain committed to the APC despite internal challenges and political disappointments.
She described the party as a collective project that must be protected, stressing that individual ambition should not override the broader interest of the party and the state.
“The race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong, but time and chance happen to them all,” she said, adding that current political developments in Oyo State reflect shifting fortunes that require patience and resilience.
Opatunde urged members not to abandon the party in moments of difficulty, warning against division, noting that: “We must not throw away the house because our hands are heavy,” she said. “Let us choose to stand with what we have built. The house remains our inheritance if we stay with it.”
Drawing on moral and historical references, she likened the party’s situation to a choice between destruction and preservation, urging members to prioritise collective survival over personal gain.
“APC is the living child. Oyo State is the living child,” she stated. “Whatever our personal position, let us choose the life and growth of the party.”
She also referenced past electoral setbacks, noting that the 2023 experience should serve as a lesson, stating, “The painful experience of 2023 still reminds us that a divided house cannot stand, while a united house is a force no opposition can easily defeat.“
Looking ahead to 2027, Opatunde called for reconciliation and discipline within the party structure.
“Let us put Oyo State above personal interest, put APC above individual ambition, respect our processes, support whoever emerges, and work together for victory,” she urged.
She emphasised forgiveness and solidarity among members, adding, “If I must kneel to be heard, then I kneel.“
“If I must beg for the sake of APC, then I beg. Let us forgive one another, close ranks, and walk together as one progressive family,” she said.
She maintained that unity remains the party’s strongest path to electoral success, noting, “The reward of unity is victory, and the reward of unity is progress for Oyo State.“
