There is no doubt, the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election in the state is nothing to write home about. However, two considerable factors may re-energize the party in the state, ahead of the forthcoming elections in 2023.

1) Oyetola’s Leadership Style

Like him or hate him, the leadership style of the former Executive Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, is appalling and encouraging enough to be quoted as one of the main hopes that would restore peace and unity to the composition of APC in Osun State.

His leadership style ensured peaceful management of the crisis that rocked the party, which could be traced to the personal crisis between him and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.

Despite the crisis between him and Aregbesola, Oyetola did everything possible to maintain respect for the personality of Aregbesola. This could be ascertained by the difficulty, or I call it the impossibility of tracing, to Oyetola, a negative remark about Aregbesola’s personality. 

He has always reserved his respect for Aregbesola’s personality and this may work in resolving the political crisis that has once separated them, amicably, since there is no injury caused to the personality of Aregbesola from Oyetola who held the state power.

2) Fraction within The Osun Progressives (TOP)

Currently, there is a faction within the factional group in the Osun State chapter of APC, The Osun Progressives (TOP). TOP which was formed with loyalty to Aregbesola is broken into two with one side feeling comfortable with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the other half seem to be nursing political difference with PDP; this was likeable to the dissolution of the factional group, recently.

The Aregbesola’s section of the TOP wants to return to the mainstream party, and their acceptance of Taju Lawal as the Acting State Chairman of the party could be considered an indication of their readiness for peace.

We may not be able to measure the magnitude but, certainly, the return of Aregbesola’s faction of TOP members to the mainstream APC would, sincerely, boost the strength of the party in the state.