“Politics 101”: How Oyo Governorship Aspirants Are Learning the Hard Truth About Party Power Ahead of 2027
The unfolding political drama across major opposition parties in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election is beginning to reveal a familiar reality about Nigerian politics — popularity, intellect, influence, and public goodwill may not always be enough to secure political victory within party structures.
For many observers, the experiences of Chief Saheed “Bemeeko” Oladele, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Amofin Beulah Adeoye are becoming striking examples of how internal party politics often determines outcomes long before delegates cast their votes.
Chief Saheed Oladele’s political journey particularly stands out.
The young politician and educationalist dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) after reportedly expressing frustration over what he described as deliberate exclusion despite his growing popularity and grassroots appeal within the party. According to him, although he considered himself one of the strongest governorship aspirants in the APC, he was denied a fair opportunity to secure the party’s ticket simply because of his age and status as a younger politician.
His decision to leave the APC was celebrated by many of his supporters, especially after leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) openly welcomed him into their fold. During several high-profile meetings and receptions, SDP leaders reportedly assured him that the party genuinely believed in youth participation and inclusive politics.
The message was clear: “It is Youth O’Clock in Oyo State.”
That slogan resonated strongly with many young political followers who believed the SDP was ready to provide a fresh political alternative and break away from the old style of power control associated with mainstream parties.
However, events have now taken a dramatic turn.
In a surprising development during the SDP governorship primary process, the party chairman, Hon. Micheal Okunlade — the same man who publicly welcomed Chief Saheed Oladele into the party and personally presented him with his SDP membership card — eventually emerged as the party’s consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
The development has sparked conversations across Oyo State political circles, with many questioning whether Chief Oladele was merely used to strengthen the party’s public image and youth appeal before internal interests eventually took control of the process.
Political analysts now argue that the situation reflects the deep-rooted nature of political structures in Nigeria, where influence within party hierarchies often outweighs public popularity.
Interestingly, a similar situation is reportedly developing within the Accord Party.
Although there are still ongoing consultations and behind-the-scenes interventions, political insiders believe broadcaster and media personality Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat may also be facing challenges within the party’s internal power arrangement, except there is a last-minute compromise or change of strategy by party executives.
Many supporters of Oriyomi Hamzat believe his public influence, humanitarian image, and grassroots connection should naturally place him in a strong political position. However, experienced politicians insist that popularity outside party structures does not automatically translate into dominance within party decision-making systems.
Meanwhile, within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly the faction reportedly backed by former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, emerged victorious in the party’s governorship primary election.
Gbolarumi polled an overwhelming 3,615 votes to defeat Amofin Beulah Adeoye, who secured just 22 votes in the exercise.
Following the outcome, Barrister Gbolarumi reportedly extended an olive branch to his opponent by welcoming Amofin Beulah Adeoye and encouraging him to proceed with the purchase of the governorship nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja.
Still, many political observers believe the outcome once again highlights the enormous gap between professional excellence and political control.
Amofin Beulah Adeoye is widely regarded as a brilliant lawyer and respected technocrat. Chief Saheed Oladele is known as an educationalist with strong youth appeal. Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat commands significant media influence as a broadcaster and public figure.
Yet, despite their individual achievements and visibility, all three appear to have encountered the same harsh political reality — party structures remain king.
At this stage, many analysts insist this can no longer be dismissed as coincidence.
Rather, it reinforces a long-standing argument repeatedly echoed by experienced politicians across Nigeria: politics is a system that must be carefully studied, mastered, and strategically navigated.
This explains why many people now agree with the position earlier expressed by Hon. Bola Akinyemi during his appearance on the popular Yoruba political programme, Agbami Oselu on 105.9.
According to him, politics in Nigeria is a discipline of its own, one that requires patience, structure, loyalty, negotiation, and deep understanding of power dynamics. In his words, every aspiring politician must first study and graduate from “Politics 101” before claiming to be politically smart.
The lesson emerging from the current Oyo political atmosphere appears simple but powerful:
If you do not truly “belong to them,” you may never completely “beat them.”
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