The All Progressives Congress, APC, in South West has said it cannot afford to lose any of the six states in the zone to the opposition.
APC stated this at a caucus meeting by chieftains of the party in the zone, presided over by the National Vice Chairman, Pastor Bankole Oluwajana,
APC is at present the ruling party in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Ekiti States.
A statement by the Zonal Secretary, Ayo Afolabi, said: “As far as the Southwest Caucus of the APC is concerned, we have a candidate for the election in Osun and we all have to rally round him to win the election.
“We cannot afford to drop any of our South west states to the opposition.”
According to the statement, the party directed all state chairmen of the party within the zone to get involved directly in the electioneering process to ensure the party’s victory that started in Ekiti, with the recent election of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is completed in Osun.
The party called on all stakeholders in the party to commence campaigns, adding that all stakeholders throughout the southwest region should be given access to play diverse roles.
It therefore, appealed to aggrieved members of the party in Osun State to give room for internal reconciliation in accordance with party’s guidelines and ethos.
“Continuous effort should be made to reach out to those dissatisfied with the primaries in Osun to retrace their steps, sheathe their swords and work for the victory of our candidate, Gbenga Oyetola.
“Problems in Oyo and some other states were reviewed and the caucus agreed to work with the respective state chapters to ensure that all grievances are addressed and resolved.”
“We recognize the need for regular meetings to resolve the internal issues across the region to ensure that we speak with one voice,” APC said.
On the gale of defections across the country, it called for measures to be taken to prevent further defections from the party as much as it was possible.