Oyo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter has postponed its much-anticipated open-air stakeholders’ meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, signaling a strategic pivot as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. The delay, aimed at allowing for broader consultations and more comprehensive preparations, reflects the party’s commitment to unity and building a strong foundation for the upcoming political contest.
The postponement was announced by the APC Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan. According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria and several local outlets including Vanguard News and Inside Oyo, Sadare emphasized that the gathering—jointly organized by the state APC leadership and the Oyo State Renewed Hope Ambassadors—would be rescheduled to a new date, to be communicated shortly.
Sadare explained that the event was intended to build on the recent intra-party rallies held across Oyo’s 14 federal constituencies. These rallies showcased the party’s ability to address longstanding internal challenges, and the new rally aims to expand engagement. “Recently, we demonstrated to the world that our great party possesses a potent mechanism to resolve all the internal crises which had slowed down our progress since 2019,” Sadare remarked. “This resulted in a manifestation of genuine reconciliation, peace, and unity among leaders and members of the APC.”
The purpose of the rescheduled meeting is to elevate the party’s engagement by including a wider range of stakeholders, both from within and beyond Oyo State. “This time, we want to raise the bar by involving more stakeholders in the APC from within and outside the state, as we are all united by a common cause,” Sadare stated.
Central to the party’s strategy is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term. This would advance his Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on key areas such as defense and internal security, job creation, macroeconomic stability, investment promotion, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security—all outlined in the 2024 Appropriation Act signed by Tinubu. “An average patriot wants President Bola Tinubu to do a second term in office to enable him to consolidate on the gains of his Renewed Hope Agenda,” Sadare remarked. “We want to set out early enough and ensure that all hands are on deck to run a hitch-free and fruitful electioneering. We are poised to return Mr. President to office and also reclaim power in Oyo State in 2027.”
The event will also serve as a platform to officially induct prominent figures and their followers from rival political parties into the APC fold. Sadare called on party members and stakeholders to maintain the spirit of cohesion for the benefit of both the party and society. “We urge all to remain united as we work together for the success of the party,” he added. Updates on the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections will be shared with the public as they become available.
This development unfolds amidst evolving national political dynamics. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently cautioned political actors against violence and vote-buying in upcoming by-elections in Rivers, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory. Ribadu emphasized that such elements would be identified and dealt with in order to ensure peaceful electoral processes.
Meanwhile, the APC national leadership, under Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, has outlined plans for inclusive congresses and a national convention following discussions with President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other key party figures at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a related context, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas recently addressed critics who sought to sow discord between him and elder statesman General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.). Kefas asserted, “Danjuma knows me better than you do,” reinforcing the strength of their relationship.
The APC’s moves in Oyo State reflect a concerted effort to overcome the setbacks that have hindered the party since its ousting from the governorship in 2019. That year marked a pivotal shift in Oyo’s political landscape when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Seyi Makinde triumphed, securing 515,621 votes, defeating APC’s Adebayo Adelabu who garnered 357,982 votes, according to official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Makinde’s victory in 2019 ended the APC’s hold on the state executive, a position that had been firmly established under Governor Abiola Ajimobi from 2011 to 2019. Following the defeat, the APC in Oyo State struggled with internal divisions, including factional disputes and legal battles, leading to the emergence of parallel executives. In 2021, Isaac Omodewu became the chairman amid the ongoing rifts, but his death in September 2024 created a leadership vacuum. Acting Chairman Alhaji Olayide Abas temporarily filled the void, and he has since worked to unite the party. In October 2025, Abas publicly declared the end of these crises, stating that a consensus had been reached to move forward unitedly.
Recent unity rallies across Oyo’s 14 federal constituencies—covering areas such as Ona-Ara/Egbeda, Iseyin/Kajola/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju, and others—have been hailed as signs of reconciliation, with stakeholders in Oyo Central Senatorial District affirming their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The APC’s maneuvers in Oyo align with the party’s larger goal of reclaiming the governorship, which has been under Makinde’s administration. The PDP’s focus on infrastructure and economic reforms has been met with praise, but the opposition continues to criticize the administration’s handling of contracts and fiscal transparency.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the APC’s ability to maintain this newfound harmony will be crucial. The party’s national structure, which includes 27 governors, 70 senators, and 200 House members as of 2023-2027, provides a strong foundation, but local dynamics such as defections and coalition-building could ultimately determine the election outcomes. With over 3 million registered voters across Oyo’s 33 local government areas, the APC’s success will depend on effective mobilization and stakeholder engagement in a state known for its competitive, multi-party contests.
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