The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State stands today at a critical crossroads. With the bitter lessons of the 2023 gubernatorial election still fresh, the party cannot afford a repeat of the mistakes that fractured its strength and eroded its chances at the polls. The focus now must be on healing, unity, and building a truly inclusive and democratic internal process, one that will produce not just a candidate, but a winning platform rooted in fairness and collective purpose.
Against this backdrop, a recent news broadcast aired by Alhaji Abolade Salami on a popular Ibadan radio station, suggesting that the Oyo APC executive has endorsed Chief Adebayo Adelabu as the party’s 2027 gubernatorial candidate, is both misleading and dangerous. The report, built on the sidelines of a private housewarming ceremony, is mischievous at best and a calculated attempt to sow discord at worst.
It must be clearly stated: the presence of party executives at the said event was social and ceremonial, not political. Any narrative that ascribes a formal endorsement to the occasion is not only false but designed to create confusion, fan embers of suspicion, and push the party into a premature and unproductive succession debate.
The current executive leadership of the party, led by Alhaji Moshood Olayide-Abas, is widely regarded for its integrity and even-handedness. It is in the best interest of the party that this leadership maintains that record by avoiding situations that can be misinterpreted or manipulated for personal gain. Party officers must at all times project neutrality, discipline, and a commitment to the collective interest above all.
Oyo APC cannot afford to be drawn into individual ambitions masquerading as consensus. The road to 2027 is still long. There will be a time, guided by the constitution of the party, for declarations, debates, and the selection of a candidate. Until then, all aspirants must be given a level playing field, and the party must not be lured into actions that can be seen as tilting the scale or endorsing one person over others.
The wounds of 2023 are still healing. Internal divisions, avoidable power struggles, and unilateral actions robbed the APC of a clear path to victory. We cannot afford another season of self-inflicted defeat.
Let it be known to all, within and outside the party, that unity is non-negotiable. The journey ahead demands maturity, sincerity, and focus. The APC in Oyo must rise above media stunts, resist desperation from any quarter, and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
If we must win in 2027, we must start by protecting the fragile peace we have today. It is time to put the party first.