In a significant move to consolidate its political base, the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's bid for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
Unity and Endorsement at Stakeholders' Meeting
The decision was reached and announced during an expanded stakeholders' meeting held on Friday, 5 December 2025, in Ibadan. The gathering, described as the largest since the 2023 elections, saw key party figures setting aside differences to present a united front.
Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, the Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, declared the party's main objective: to build on its 2023 performance by securing at least a 35 per cent increase in votes for President Tinubu in 2027. He emphasized that unity is non-negotiable for political success, stating that no brilliant strategy can thrive in a divided house.
Folarin introduced the 'One APC, One Tinubu Project' as the party's guiding principle, stressing that harmony, collaboration, and coordinated mobilization are essential to achieving the President's Renewed Hope agenda. He vowed that Oyo State would not only follow the national directive but also set a benchmark for political organization.
Rebuilding from the Grassroots Up
A core part of the strategy involves a complete revitalization of the party's structures across the state. Folarin highlighted the need to rebuild and energize the APC from the state executive down to the 33 local government chapters, 351 wards, and all polling units.
"Our grassroots structures must be vibrant, functional and connected to the people," he asserted. "Every ward, every unit and every community must feel the presence and impact of the APC. This is how we consolidate our gains and deliver an even more convincing victory for President Tinubu in the next election."
Speaking after the meeting, Folarin revealed that internal disagreements had been resolved, with a mandate to spread the message of reconciliation to all party members at the grassroots level. He expressed full confidence in the Oyo APC's readiness to ensure the President's re-election.
Leaders Herald a New Era of Peace
The Minister of Power and governorship aspirant, Chief Bayo Adelabu, echoed the sentiment of unity, declaring that peace had finally returned to the party. He noted the absence of factions and described the current interaction among leaders, executives, and stakeholders as cordial and peaceful.
"We are now speaking with one voice... Unity, cooperation, partnership and collaboration have fully returned, and the party is stronger than ever," Adelabu stated. He estimated that the internal reconciliation process was 90 per cent complete and called on remaining aggrieved members to follow the lead of those who have embraced peace.
Adelabu confidently predicted a landslide victory for the Oyo APC if elections were held immediately and confirmed the unanimous adoption of President Tinubu as the party's sole candidate for 2027.
Other prominent leaders, including Senator Ayoade Adeseun and Senator Fatai Buhari (Oyo North), urged members to close ranks and work collectively. They appealed to those with grievances to prioritize the larger goal of reclaiming the state and securing Tinubu's second term.
The former state party chairman, Chief Akin Oke, commended the renewed spirit of cooperation, seeing it as a true symbol of unity. Similarly, Hon. Remi Oseni, representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, linked the meeting to President Tinubu's broader reconciliation initiative, aimed at repositioning the APC for victory in 2027.
"If this continues, the 2027 elections will be a walkover," Oseni concluded, urging all supporters to align with the party's resolutions.
