- APC Lagos East Reconciliation Committee Chairman, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, rates Epe’s reconciliation process at 95 per cent.
- Party leaders and aspirants pledge greater unity and cooperation following the recent primaries.
- Committee urges stakeholders to sustain reconciliation efforts and strengthen the party’s grassroots structure ahead of 2027.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliation Committee for Lagos East Senatorial District has rated the reconciliation process in Epe Local Government at 95 per cent, following a peace-building meeting with party leaders, aspirants and stakeholders in the area.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the meeting, held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, formed part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to address grievances arising from the party’s recent primary elections, rebuild confidence among members and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee was led by its Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, OFR, alongside the Secretary, Mrs. Folashade Bakare, and other members including Mr. Nurudeen Akinwunmi, Pastor Funmi Dawodu and Mr. Afolabi Dada.
The meeting brought together a broad range of APC stakeholders in Epe, including the State Welfare Secretary, Otunba Kehinde Adeniyi; Epe Local Government Vice Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Owolomoshe; Eredo LCDA Vice Chairman, Hon. Lateef Adesanya; Hon. Otunba Bode Alausa; Hon. Samsodeen Onanuga; Epe LGA APC Chairman, Hon. Toyin Gbadamosi; ward and zonal leaders; women and youth leaders; aspirants and other party members.
Speaking after listening to the various contributions, Ogala commended the stakeholders for the peaceful atmosphere at the meeting and expressed optimism about the progress recorded in the reconciliation process.
He said, “If I’m to score Epe, I’ll score them 95 per cent. On the reconciliation process, we’re almost there. What we just need to do is to work on some minor cracks and smoothen up.”
The reconciliation chairman noted that unlike some other areas where the committee had encountered serious disagreements, the Epe meeting provided a relatively calm environment for stakeholders to express their concerns and make commitments towards reconciliation.
He added, “Everybody made commitments and you’ve just made our jobs easy. It’s just as if we came here to relax. We will make our reports and submit it to the appropriate quarters that Epe is positive and that Epe has promised us to deliver over 80 per cent of the votes.”
Ogala urged party members to regard their disagreements as internal family matters that could be resolved through dialogue, understanding and genuine commitment to the progress of the party.
He said, “As party loyalists, it’s like we’re children of the same parents. We have disagreements and we have to reconcile.”
The former National Legal Adviser of the APC also called for respect for the party’s senior leaders, while encouraging aspirants who were unsuccessful in the primaries not to lose hope or withdraw from party activities.
He advised them to remain committed to the party, noting that political opportunities could emerge at unexpected times.
“When it’s your turn, you won’t struggle for political office, it will be donated to you,” Ogala said.
He further stressed that reconciliation should not end with the settlement of personal differences, but must translate into stronger grassroots mobilisation and improved electoral performance for the APC.
Ogala recalled the outcome of the 2023 elections in Lagos and urged stakeholders in traditionally strong APC areas to work towards achieving improved results in 2027.
He said, “By the time Lagos lost, I think it dawned on all of us that our heritage was going. We almost lost our heritage with the 2023 election.”
The committee had earlier paid homage to Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, while apologies were received from some prominent party stakeholders who could not attend the meeting.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for aspirants from the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly contests to acknowledge existing differences and reaffirm their commitment to the party.
Among those present or represented were Hon. Wale Raji Anomo, Hon. Adeyinka Bakare (BIA), Hon. Segun Agbaje, Hon. Lanre Ogundele, Hon. Muyiwa Ogunlari and Hon. Adetola Olusegun (Segun 3).
Responding to the intervention, Hon. Wale Raji acknowledged Ogala’s experience in party affairs and appreciated the reconciliation committee for its intervention.
Raji recognised the legitimate aspirations of members who contested the primaries, noting that the emergence of candidates did not diminish the contributions or political value of other aspirants.
He said, “We’ve listened to your words of advice and I didn’t expect anything less, going by your wealth of experience as a party man, a parliamentarian, a legal luminary and a specialist when it comes to party affairs.”
Raji assured the committee that Epe APC would remain committed to the party and its broader objectives.
“If we don’t make efforts to ensure genuine reconciliation, we will be disappointing the party. And I assure you that we will not disappoint the party,” he stated.
Also speaking, Hon. Abiodun Mustain Tobun welcomed the reconciliation initiative and disclosed that efforts were already being made to reach out to fellow aspirants and resolve differences arising from the primaries.
He said, “We are only fortunate. It’s not as if we’re the best and we are not seeing our win as winners take it all. The victory is not to spite or shame fellow aspirants. We’ve been reaching out to them.”
Tobun revealed that he had held discussions with some of the aspirants as part of efforts to rebuild relationships within the party.
“I’ve had private meetings with my brother, Lanre Ogundele, and we’re still reaching out to reconcile,” he said.
He also acknowledged the intervention of Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu and appealed to all party members to put the primaries behind them and focus on the future.
“So, I plead with you all in the name of God to be united going into the general elections. It’s not by our doing for those of us that the victory favoured today, and it’s not that we’re the bravest. We are not even taking this opportunity for granted,” Tobun stated.
He further emphasised the need for improved electoral performance, noting that stronger unity within the party would be important to achieving better results.
Other stakeholders also contributed to the discussions, with Otunba Bode Alausa offering counsel to party members, while Mrs. Dolapo Oladunjoye called for greater recognition of loyal members who have contributed to the development of the party.
Hon. Segun Benson cautioned party members against inflammatory statements, cyber attacks and defamation, while Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon called for reconciliation to be reflected in inclusive campaign structures.
Hon. Johnbull appealed for the resolution of issues surrounding the Eredo party executive lists, while Hon. Lanre Odubote stressed that members should be allowed to pursue legitimate political aspirations without being treated as enemies.
With the reconciliation committee expected to submit its report to the appropriate party authorities, the Epe meeting ended with renewed calls for unity, dialogue and cooperation among APC members.
The 95 per cent assessment by the committee chairman offered an indication that significant progress had been made, while the remaining issues are expected to be addressed through continued engagement among party leaders, aspirants and stakeholders.
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