Fresh political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State indicate renewed efforts to consolidate the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively encouraging reconciliation among key stakeholders.
The latest round of consultations comes as Senator Teslim Folarin, a former governorship candidate of the APC in Oyo State, paid a visit to President Tinubu. Although Senator Folarin did not purchase the APC governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 race, he remains one of the party's most influential political figures in the state, commanding a vast network of loyal supporters across the progressive fold.
Political observers believe Folarin's influence within the APC cannot be ignored, making his role crucial in any strategy aimed at presenting a united front before the next general election.
The meeting with President Tinubu came at a time when the APC's reconciliation efforts in Oyo State have gathered momentum. A reconciliation committee co-chaired by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Professor Taoreed Adedoja has been engaging leaders, aspirants and stakeholders across the state in a bid to heal divisions and strengthen party cohesion ahead of the governorship contest.
Sources within the party suggest that President Tinubu's intervention is intended to complement the committee's work by encouraging unity among all tendencies within the Oyo APC. The President is believed to be committed to ensuring that the party enters the 2027 elections as a united force capable of challenging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Meanwhile, several APC leaders and stakeholders have continued to maintain that Senator Sharafadeen Alli remains the party's consensus governorship candidate. During recent stakeholders' engagements, party elders reiterated that the adoption of Alli reflects a collective decision aimed at strengthening the APC's electoral prospects and avoiding prolonged internal disputes.
Supporters of Alli argue that the reconciliation process is not designed to sideline any influential member of the party but rather to bring every stakeholder, including former aspirants and party leaders, under one umbrella in preparation for the 2027 governorship election.
Although speculations have continued to trail the ambitions of several prominent APC figures, including Senator Folarin, his recent engagement with President Tinubu has largely been interpreted by party loyalists as part of broader consultations to foster unity and rally support behind the party's collective objective.
For many within the APC, the overriding priority remains reclaiming Oyo State from the PDP after consecutive electoral defeats. Party leaders have repeatedly stressed that reconciliation, inclusiveness and grassroots mobilisation will determine the party's chances in the next governorship election.
While political permutations are expected to continue as 2027 approaches, ongoing consultations between President Tinubu, party leaders and influential stakeholders signal a deliberate effort to reduce internal friction and position the APC for a stronger electoral outing.
As things stand, supporters of Senator Sharafadeen Alli remain confident that nothing has changed regarding his status within the party, insisting that the reconciliation process and high-level consultations are all geared towards building consensus and ensuring that the APC presents a united front in its quest to return to power in Oyo State.
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