Young Nigerian voters participate in the electoral process at a polling unit. Young voters at a polling unit during an election in Nigeria. CJAN is urging youths in Osun State to move beyond being treated as electoral numbers and demand greater participation in governance.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said the APC must resist the temptation to engage in post-election blame games and instead conduct a comprehensive, honest assessment of its performance.

He tasked members of the party to channel their energy from the recent governorship election loss into securing victory in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo, Sunday, Oyintiloye warned against attributing the electoral setback to any single leader in the state.

He argued that elections are rarely determined by the actions of one individual. Instead, he stated  that candidate’s appeal, grassroots mobilisation, party cohesion, campaign strategy and voter sentiment collectively drive election outcomes.

“This is not the time to crucify anybody. It is a time for sober reflection, reconciliation, and strategic repositioning. No single individual should be made the scapegoat for an outcome that involved many political and electoral factors,” Oyintiloye stated.

He stated the urgent need to start working immediately to reposition the party to garner maximum votes for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state for the upcoming general elections.

“We do not have much time left. We must find a way to turn this gubernatorial loss into victory for Tinubu and others in the next few months,” he added.

Oyintiloye called for a thorough post-election review to evaluate the party’s performance from the polling-unit level up to the state structures. 

While noting that constructive criticism is vital for the survival and growth of any political organization, he warned against criticism driven by anger, personal grievances, or a desire to settle political scores.

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

Oyintiloye urged party leaders to reconnect with grassroots members and voters, listen closely to their concerns, and develop strategies to restore public confidence in the platform.

He described the electoral defeat as a temporary setback rather than the end of the party, reminding members that political fortunes are inherently dynamic.