A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged the party to turn its recent governorship election defeat into a catalyst for victory for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Oyintiloye made the call on Sunday in Osogbo while speaking with newsmen, warning APC leaders and members against turning the party’s electoral setback into a blame game.

According to him, elections are rarely determined by the actions of one individual, stressing that several factors, including candidate appeal, grassroots mobilisation, party unity, campaign strategy and prevailing voter sentiment, influence electoral outcomes.

He therefore urged the party to conduct a comprehensive and honest assessment of its performance rather than searching for individuals to blame for the defeat.

“This is not the time to crucify anybody. It is a time for sober reflection, reconciliation and strategic repositioning,” Oyintiloye said.

“No single individual should be made the scapegoat for an outcome that involved many political and electoral factors.

“We must start working immediately on how we can reposition the party to garner maximum votes for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections in the state. We do not have much time left to do that. We must find a way to turn the guber loss to victory for Tinubu and others in the next few months.”

The APC chieftain called for a detailed post-election review of the party’s performance, from individual polling units to its state-level structures.

He acknowledged that constructive criticism was necessary for the growth and survival of any political organisation but cautioned party members against criticism motivated by anger, personal grievances or attempts to settle political scores.

“The 2027 general election is already very close. We cannot afford to spend the next period fighting ourselves. The real work of rebuilding must begin now,” he stated.

Oyintiloye also urged APC leaders to return to the grassroots, reconnect with party members and voters, listen to their concerns and develop strategies capable of rebuilding public confidence in the party.

He described the governorship defeat as a temporary setback rather than the end of APC’s political prospects in Osun State, arguing that political fortunes can change when a party undertakes serious internal reforms and works collectively.

He maintained that with reconciliation, stronger grassroots mobilisation, improved party cohesion and a focused campaign strategy, the APC could reverse its fortunes and secure stronger electoral support for Tinubu and other party candidates in the 2027 elections.