Tension is reportedly brewing within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a controversial outburst by former deputy chairman, Isiaka Alimi. The party stalwart has allegedly placed a curse on key leaders who recently endorsed Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as a consensus gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 elections—an incident that is already sparking conversations about internal divisions within the party.
According to emerging reports circulating across political circles and social media platforms, Alimi expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision to rally behind Alli, a serving senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District. The endorsement, which was expected to unify party stakeholders, appears to have instead deepened cracks within the APC’s internal structure.
For context, Senator Alli is a seasoned politician and legal practitioner with decades of experience in public service. His political résumé includes roles such as Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff, as well as his current position in the National Assembly. However, his emergence as a “consensus candidate” seems to have triggered resistance from certain party factions who may feel sidelined in the decision-making process.
Political observers note that the use of spiritual or symbolic language—such as curses—in Nigerian politics, while not uncommon, often signals deep-seated grievances and unresolved power struggles. In this case, Alimi’s reaction suggests that not all stakeholders were carried along in the consensus arrangement, raising questions about transparency, inclusiveness, and internal democracy within the party.
The development paints a worrying picture for the APC in Oyo State as it prepares for the 2027 gubernatorial race. Rather than projecting unity and strategic coordination, the party now appears to be grappling with internal discord that could weaken its chances at the polls. As one might put it in street parlance: APC FC may be heading into the “Governor’s Cup final” with a divided dressing room.
Historically, political parties that enter major elections with unresolved internal conflicts often struggle to present a united front to voters. In Nigeria’s highly competitive political landscape, such divisions can significantly impact electoral outcomes, especially in states like Oyo where political loyalty is fluid and voter sentiment can shift rapidly.
While it remains unclear whether party leadership will move swiftly to address the situation or attempt damage control, the incident underscores a broader issue within Nigerian party politics—the challenge of balancing consensus-building with fairness and inclusivity. If not properly managed, this crisis could escalate into factional disputes, defections, or even parallel campaign structures within the same party.
For now, all eyes are on the Oyo APC leadership to see how they navigate this unfolding drama. Will reconciliation efforts be initiated? Or will this controversy mark the beginning of deeper fractures within the party?
One thing is certain: as the countdown to 2027 begins, unity within party ranks may prove just as important as popularity at the polls. And if the current situation is anything to go by, the real battle for APC in Oyo might not just be against opposition parties—but within its own camp. 😳
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