Fresh cracks have emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a faction within the party has openly rejected a recent endorsement linked to a so-called “Unity Forum,” declaring that any such move without official party approval is “null and void.”
The group, led by Tade Akinjobi, issued a strong warning that premature endorsements—particularly those not sanctioned by the state party leadership—could severely damage the APC’s chances in the 2027 governorship election. The development underscores deepening divisions as multiple aspirants position themselves ahead of the race.
The controversy follows reports that the Unity Forum, allegedly led by Senator Ayoade Adeseun, endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli for the governorship contest. However, Akinjobi’s group dismissed the move as illegitimate, describing it as a desperate attempt to impose a candidate on the party.
According to the statement, such endorsements undermine internal democracy and sideline other aspirants who have already purchased nomination and expression of interest forms. The group argued that the party must adhere strictly to due process, warning that any attempt to skew the process could trigger wider disaffection among members.
It is also important to emphasise that the leadership structure in the party also exceeds the selected individuals at the meeting, as the APC is composed of other groups such as the Ajimobi legacy forum and clearly with Sen. Teslim Folarin completely neglected in the grand scheme of things. This is a clear invitation for party discord and total disregard for fairness and equality that will be derived from the direct primary that the members and other aspirants are already preparing for.
They further insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been misrepresented in ongoing narratives around the Oyo APC succession race. The group maintained that attributing support or consent to the president for any endorsement is misleading and risks escalating tensions within the party.
Central to the dispute is the mode of primary election. The group reaffirmed its support for direct primaries, describing it as the most transparent and inclusive method for selecting the party’s candidate. They claimed that a majority of party leaders—particularly from Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and other key zones—support this approach and deliberately stayed away from the alleged endorsement gathering.
“The party is sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” the statement warned, noting that grassroots members are increasingly aggrieved by what they perceive as attempts to hijack the process. The group cautioned that ignoring these concerns could lead to internal implosion and cost the APC dearly at the polls.
Meanwhile, APC Ex-officio in the state, Hon. Kola Amoo, struck a more measured tone, acknowledging that individuals or groups may express preferences but reiterating that such endorsements hold no binding authority over the party’s official process. He emphasized that the decision on the mode of primaries—reportedly settled on direct primaries—remains unchanged.
Political observers note that the escalating rhetoric reflects a broader struggle for control within the Oyo APC, with multiple blocs vying for influence. As alignments continue to shift, there are increasing calls for the party’s national leadership to intervene and restore order before the situation deteriorates further.
With the 2027 election still some distance away, the unfolding power tussle suggests that the APC’s greatest challenge in Oyo State may not be the opposition—but managing its own internal divisions.
