The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Oyo State have commenced merger talks aimed at ousting the Governor Seyi Makinde led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

Major operatives from both parties met at Premier Hotel in Ibadan on Friday, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The APC group was led by Akin Oke, the chairman of the state caretaker committee, while Sharafadeen Alli, the 2019 ZLP governorship candidate led his party’s team to the meeting.

A coalition of ZLP, PDP, SDP, ADC and a faction of AD produced Mr. Makinde as governor of the state in 2019.

Wale Ohu, spokesman of the APC group, said that both parties were at the meeting to deliberate on possible merger and future elections.

He said the meeting was to consult on how both parties could work together to ensure a better Oyo State.

“We discussed how to move this party forward, to move the state forward and the signals were very impressive,” Mr. Ohu reiterated. “The ZLP symbolised by the Ladoja group and the APC led by our own party chairman, Chief Akin Oke, are here for deliberation and consultation. That is why we are here.”

The spokesman said the meeting was about the APC as a party which had former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as a member and ZLP with former Governor Rasheed Ladoja as a member.

Adeolu Adeleke, spokesperson of ZLP, confirmed the meeting, saying they were yet to make a precise decision.

He said they would in a couple of days, meet with the PDP too, saying they would belong to either the APC or PDP.

“We have met with APC at the state level. In a couple of days, we are going to meet with PDP also.

“The final decision will be taken on a particular party we will work with. So, we are just meeting ourselves.

“So, this will not be the last meeting, I can rightly say.

“One thing I can tell you on a good note is that at least for now, from human angle, and human perspective, it is either we belong to the PDP or APC at the end,” he said.

Mr. Adeleke declined comment on whether the meeting was approved by a former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

He, however, affirmed that he would not engage in any meeting without the former governor’s consent.

“One thing that I can tell you authoritatively is that I can never engage myself in such a meeting without the consent of Senator Rashidi Ladoja,” he said.

On the APC team were, Senator Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central), Segun Odebunmi (APC- Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa Federal Constituency), Akeem Adeyemi (APC-Oyo Federal Constituency) and Asimiyu Alarape.

Also on the APC delegation were, Mojeed Olaiya; the state APC caretaker secretary, Lowo Obisesan, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Yinka Taiwo and Olawale Sadare, amongst others.

On the ZLP delegation were, Bimbo Adepoju, Waheed Akanbi, Sherifat Tanimowo, Monisola Tegbe, Idowu Olaniyan, Kazeem Raji and Koyejo Oyetunde.

(NAN)