The elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have called for unity and reconciliation among members of the party, saying internal divisions could undermine the party’s efforts to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

The Chairman of the Ondo APC Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, made the call during a meeting of the group held in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Ijabiyi urged members and political leaders within the party to put aside their differences and concentrate on mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the elders considered it their responsibility to promote peace, unity and political stability within the party, particularly as preparations for the next general election gather momentum.

According to him, political disagreements within the party should not be allowed to overshadow the larger objective of ensuring victory for the President.

Ijabiyi expressed concern over what he described as a growing tendency among party members to interpret every political development in the state as a contest over who has won, who has lost and who controls the party.

He warned that such an approach could create unnecessary divisions at a time when the APC should be concentrating on expanding its support base.

The elders’ forum chairman stressed that the 2027 election had not yet been contested, adding that the party still had considerable work to do before going to the polls.

He therefore urged party leaders and members to redirect their political energy towards reconciliation, mobilisation and the expansion of Tinubu’s support base across Ondo State.

Ijabiyi said every tendency within the APC capable of bringing votes should be accommodated, while genuine supporters of the President and political leaders with mobilisation capacity should be given roles in the campaign effort.

He also referred to reactions that followed the announcement of the President’s campaign structure, saying the development had generated concerns within some sections of the party.

The elders, however, maintained that disagreements over political positions should not be allowed to derail the larger campaign for Tinubu’s second term.

Ijabiyi said the President’s campaign must be bigger than the personal and political differences among leaders in Ondo State.

He noted that there would be opportunities in the future for individuals to pursue governorship ambitions and other political interests, but insisted that the immediate priority should be Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.

He appealed to APC members to work together and ensure that the party presents a united front as the election approaches.

The call comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and political groups already beginning to strengthen their structures and mobilise supporters across the country.

The Ondo APC elders therefore urged party members to prioritise unity and reconciliation, warning that internal disagreements could weaken the party’s ability to mobilise voters and deliver the state for President Tinubu in 2027.

The forum’s position also underscores the growing importance of party cohesion as political activities ahead of the 2027 election continue to gather momentum.