Party men! Party men! But are they truly working for the victory of the APC in Oyo State, or are they simply demonstrating loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the centre?
There is a growing political question surrounding the apparent relationship between some of the biggest political figures in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party's governorship flag bearer, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
While political alignments and public appearances may suggest that the party is united behind President Tinubu, there are emerging indications that this unity may not necessarily translate into collective commitment to the APC's ambition of winning the Oyo State governorship election.
We have heard this narrative from Senator Teslim Folarin, and indeed, we have seen him alongside Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC governorship flag bearer. We have also seen Senator Alli with Senator Fatai Buhari at the recent memorial lecture in honour of the late Governor Lam Adesina.
However, one significant political observation remains: these prominent political figures have not been visibly seen together with Chief Bayo Adelabu under the same political arrangement.
And several developments appear to reinforce the questions surrounding this political relationship.
The Ogbomoso Defection: A Significant Political Test
One development that deserves particular attention is the recent defection of former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, alongside 32 other political chieftains of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), to the APC in Ogbomoso.
The November 10, 2026, defection was a significant political development, considering Ogunwuyi's former position in the Makinde administration and his political influence in Ogbomoso. The event attracted several APC leaders and supporters.
However, questions about the participation and visibility of some influential political stakeholders in the Ogbomoso political equation deserve attention. Senator Fatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, is a major political figure in the area. His visible involvement in efforts to consolidate the party's new entrants would have carried considerable political significance.
It is important, however, to distinguish between confirmed attendance and political interpretation: published reports of the event do not establish that Senator Buhari was absent.
Another development is Senator Sharafadeen Alli's manifesto presentation in Ibadan. His Oyo AHEAD agenda, built around seven pillars covering local government autonomy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic development, agriculture and security, represents a major attempt to communicate his vision for Oyo State.
Yet, the bigger question is whether the political heavyweights whose support is necessary for electoral success are genuinely investing in the Alli project.
The presence of influential political figures at selected party events is encouraging, but electoral commitment requires more than photographs, ceremonial appearances and public declarations of loyalty.
And here comes the real issue.
The APC Primary Crisis: The Elephant in the Room
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this political arrangement is the controversy surrounding the APC primaries and the distribution of party tickets and positions.
During the crisis-ridden primary process, the Alli camp was accused of cornering major political opportunities for its own loyalists, leaving other influential political blocs feeling sidelined.
As the political argument stands, Senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Chief Mrs Florence Ajimobi and Senator Fatai Buhari have not seen prominent representation from their respective camps in the major tickets and party positions being contested.
This raises a fundamental question: why should these political leaders be expected to invest their political structures, resources and influence in an ambition that appears not to accommodate their interests?
Political alliances are rarely sustained by photographs and public declarations alone. They require trust, consultation, fairness, mutual respect and a genuine sense of belonging.
The recent third Lam Adesina Annual Memorial Lecture, which brought together prominent political figures, including Senator Alli, also demonstrated the importance of shared political heritage and progressive values. But celebrating a common political history is not necessarily the same as building a united electoral structure. radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng
Tinubu's Victory Versus APC's Victory in Oyo
Here lies the bigger political calculation.
It is increasingly possible that some of these political actors are more interested in ensuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political success at the national level than in committing themselves fully to Senator Alli's governorship ambition in Oyo State.
Supporting Tinubu at the centre does not automatically mean supporting every political arrangement established by the APC leadership in Oyo State.
These are two different political calculations.
A politician can remain loyal to the President, participate in national party activities and publicly identify with the APC while maintaining reservations about the party's governorship candidate and internal political arrangements in his state.
That distinction must not be overlooked.
The real question is not whether these political leaders belong to the APC. The question is whether they genuinely believe in the Alli project enough to deploy their political machinery towards its success.
After all, winning a presidential election and winning a governorship election require different political strategies, alliances and grassroots mobilisation.
If the APC leadership in Oyo State genuinely desires victory in 2027, it must understand that party unity cannot be manufactured through slogans. It must be built through fairness, inclusion and genuine reconciliation.
Otherwise, the party may discover that having everybody on the same political platform does not necessarily mean having everybody on the same political mission.
They may be party men for Tinubu, but are they really party men for Alli?
That is the question Oyo APC must answer before 2027.
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