On Monday in Lagos, several governorship hopefuls of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State met to discuss how to agree on a single candidate for the 2027 election and avoid internal division that could weaken the party.
The meeting was hosted at a private residence in Ikoyi by Florence Ajimobi, wife of a former Oyo State governor, and it brought together key party figures and aspirants.
Among those present were Teslim Folarin, Aderemi Olaniyan, Abdulfatai Buhari, Sharafadeen Ali, Adebayo Adelabu, and other party stakeholders.
The gathering lasted for several hours and focused on building unity within the party ahead of the next governorship race. Those present agreed on the need to support a single candidate to avoid the kind of internal conflict that has affected the party in past elections.
They also agreed that whoever emerges with the backing of Bola Ahmed Tinubu would receive collective support from other aspirants.
Participants, however, stressed that the process of choosing a candidate must be open and fair to all contenders. They resolved that each aspirant should meet directly with the President to understand his position, instead of relying on third-party information.
The meeting followed recent political moves involving the President, including his interaction with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, which is believed to be connected to ongoing political planning in Oyo State.
There have also been talks within the party suggesting that Sharafadeen Ali could emerge as a preferred candidate, though this has caused concern among some party members. Reports of such arrangements have led to reactions within the state chapter, with leaders trying to calm tensions and maintain unity.
Oyo State remains a competitive political ground, and past elections have shown that internal disagreements can affect the party’s chances. In the 2023 election, the APC candidate lost to the incumbent governor, which has increased the urgency to avoid division ahead of 2027.
The role played by Florence Ajimobi in bringing the aspirants together is seen as an effort to settle differences early and keep the party united as preparations for the next election continue.