The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has been embroiled in a fresh wave of controversy, as reports emerge that party leaders in Abuja have allegedly thrown their weight behind the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to fly the party’s gubernatorial ticket for the 2027 elections.
This development has sparked intense debate and disagreement among party stakeholders, with many expressing discontent over what they perceive as imposition by the party’s national leadership. According to sources privy to a top-level meeting of the Oyo APC stakeholders held at the Villa in Abuja two weeks ago, Abuja’s endorsement of Adelabu is aimed at consolidating support for him ahead of the next election.
The source revealed that Adelabu has been adopted to fly the APC flag against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State by 2027, and that the recent move is to ensure that all other party stakeholders in the state align with the choice of “Penkelemes,” who is actually President Tinubu’s political son.
The source further disclosed that the meeting, which was attended by prominent APC stakeholders from Oyo State, including two former deputy governors, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and Fatai Ibikunle, Senator Fatai Buhari, Professor Adeolu Akande, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, FIRS Chairman, Zaccheus Adedeji, and the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, was convened to discuss the party’s strategy for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
However, this move has not gone down well with several key stakeholders, who argued that the selection process of whoever will fly the party’s flag come 2027 as its governorship candidate should reflect the will of party members in the state through a properly conducted primary election.
They contend that the imposition of Adelabu as the party’s candidate will undermine the democratic principles of the party and create divisions among party members. The party is also said to be scouting for a running mate from Ogbomoso zone, despite Adelabu’s preference for former House of Reps member Honorable Kola Olabiyi, who hails from Oke-Ogun area of the state.
This development has sparked a fresh wave of controversy, with many party stakeholders questioning the rationale behind the party’s decision to shop for a running mate from Ogbomoso zone. The Oyo APC has been polarized along two major blocs: loyalists to the wife of former Governor Ajimobi and the Senator Fatai Buhari bloc.
The Senator Teslim Folarin’s bloc is also awaiting the final decision from Abuja on whether the party would go to the polls for a primary election or impose a candidate from Abuja. As the search for a deputy intensifies, notable figures from Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso have reportedly been approached to fill the slot, with party insiders hinting that the eventual choice will be crucial in determining the party’s chances at the polls.
The party’s leadership is said to be favoring a candidate with strong political connections and a proven track record of electoral success. However, the decision to impose Adelabu as the party’s candidate has been met with resistance from some quarters, with many arguing that the party should have allowed a more democratic process to unfold.
The internal wrangling within the party has raised concerns about the party’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. As the APC struggles to find its footing, the opposition PDP is likely to capitalize on the party’s internal divisions to its advantage.
The stakes are high for the APC in Oyo State, and the party’s leadership must act quickly to resolve the internal crisis and present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections. Failure to do so may result in the party’s fortunes dwindling further, and the PDP capitalizing on the APC’s internal divisions to win the election.
The APC’s internal crisis in Oyo State is a microcosm of the larger challenges facing the party at the national level. The party’s leadership must take steps to address these challenges and ensure that the party remains united and focused on its goals.
In the meantime, the people of Oyo State will be watching with keen interest as the drama unfolds. Will the APC be able to resolve its internal crisis and present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections? Only time will tell.
As the APC continues to grapple with its internal challenges, the PDP is likely to seize the initiative and launch a concerted effort to win the hearts and minds of the people of Oyo State. The battle for the soul of Oyo State has begun, and it promises to be a thrilling contest.
The APC’s decision to impose Adelabu as its candidate has also raised questions about the party’s commitment to democratic principles. Many party stakeholders are wondering why the party’s leadership has chosen to bypass the democratic process and impose a candidate on the party, rather than allowing party members to choose their own candidate through a primary election. This move has sparked fears that the party is sliding into authoritarianism and that the interests of party members are being ignored.
