In a decisive move towards regaining control of Oyo State in the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to overcome past internal divisions and work together as a united front.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this vow during a recent meeting in Abuja between Oyo State stakeholders and the national leadership of the party. Adelabu, who was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2019 elections, expressed optimism that the APC in Oyo State is now more determined than ever to challenge the dominance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“We are happy that for the first time, after the last elections, Oyo APC can now speak with one voice,” Adelabu declared. “There is no faction in Oyo State APC again, and we are more determined than ever before to take over the governance in Oyo State.”
Adelabu’s comments come after two successive defeats in the governorship elections, with the PDP’s Seyi Makinde defeating him in 2019 and Senator Teslim Folarin in 2023. Despite these losses, Adelabu remains confident that APC’s dominance at the grassroots level remains unshaken.
According to Adelabu, the key to regaining power in the state is unity within the party. “I believe we lost the last two elections, not due to the non-popularity of the party in the state, but due to division within the party. A house divided against itself will surely fail,” he explained.
Adelabu’s statement emphasizes the strength of the APC in Oyo State. In both the 2019 and 2023 elections, the party dominated the National Assembly races. In 2019, the APC won two out of the three senatorial seats, and in the House of Representatives, they secured 10 out of 14 seats. Similarly, in 2023, the party claimed all three senatorial seats and 9 out of 14 House of Representatives seats, which is a significant portion.
However, despite these strong showings at the federal level, internal conflicts prevented the party from securing the governorship and state assembly elections. Adelabu acknowledged this, noting that despite the party’s grassroots strength, divisions within the state APC were a major hindrance to their success in the gubernatorial race.
Adelabu reflected on the failures of the past, including his own candidacy in 2019. “We had divisions. We could not achieve effective reconciliation before the election. There was no unity, and that affected our performance in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.”
Now, as the 2027 elections approach, Adelabu insists that the lessons learned from previous setbacks will guide the party’s strategy. “We now all realize that no faction or division can win us elections. Unity is our key to success.”
National Chairman of the APC, Umar Ganduje, also weighed in on the matter, stating that President Bola Tinubu is deeply invested in ensuring the party wins all the Southwest states in the upcoming elections.
“We are concerned about the unity of Oyo State and the unity of Nigeria,” Ganduje said. “The homogeneity of the Southwest is crucial. Our 2027 task is one that must be achieved.”
Ganduje stressed that efforts are already underway to ensure genuine reconciliation within Oyo APC. “We will organize mega stakeholder meetings in Ibadan, bringing together all members of the party, to the point where the opposition will be intimidated by our unity,” he announced.
He also underscored the need for constant party activity at all levels. “We want the party to be active throughout the year. Party offices must be functional, with constant meetings at the ward, local government, and state levels. That is how you build strong connections and remain alive in the political game,” Ganduje emphasized.
This commitment to party unity comes at a critical time for Oyo State’s APC, which has been grappling with internal struggles and electoral losses. The 2027 elections will be a significant test of the party’s ability to present a united front and challenge the PDP’s dominance in the state.
The APC’s renewed focus on unity and grassroots mobilization is seen as a positive sign for the party’s future prospects in Oyo State. With the backing of national leadership and a clear commitment to resolving past divisions, the APC is positioning itself as a strong contender in the 2027 elections.
As Oyo State prepares for the next general elections, the APC’s ability to overcome internal divisions and present a united front will be critical in determining whether they can regain the governorship and state assembly seats lost in recent years.
With the 2027 elections fast approaching, the question remains: Will the Oyo APC’s renewed commitment to unity be enough to secure a victory, or will past mistakes continue to haunt the party’s political ambitions?
