Party disowns reports on gubernatorial candidate, says process yet to begin
As the 2027 general elections approach, the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with internal disputes that party members warned could undermine its electoral prospects.

In an open letter, signed by leading members of the Ireakari Group, including ‘Debo Adesina (Chairman), Ope Adisa (Secretary), Waheed Ogundipe (Ibadan Main), Dimeji Adewole (Oke-Ogun I), Dr ’Wale Akinleye (Oyo), Olusegun Adekunle (Ibadan Outer), Ibrahim K. Ola (Oke-Ogun II), Awoyemi Abiodun (Ogbomoso), and Adesola Bola (Ibarapa), and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the coalition in the state raised concerns over perceived manipulation and exclusion in party’s structures and processes.

The group, which praised Tinubu for his role in building the APC into Nigeria’s ruling party, cautioned that the Oyo APC requires urgent reforms to avoid a repeat of the defeats in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

“While Tinubu beyond 2027 is non-negotiable, the Oyo APC cannot afford to be derailed by aspirants whose tactics threaten the party’s unity and transparency,” the letter stated.

The group warned that if unaddressed, the situation could affect Oyo APC’s ability to field credible candidates for zonal and national offices.

They, therefore, urged the President to intervene, emphasising that the party’s unity, transparency, and prioritisation of institutional integrity must come before individuals’ ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of the APC has dismissed media reports suggesting that it has settled for a governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as false, speculative, and misleading.

In a statement in Ibadan yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party said it had not commenced any process relating to the emergence of candidates for the 2027 polls.

The APC, therefore, urged its members and supporters to remain calm, assuring that due process and internal democracy would be strictly adhered to.

The party, while urging the public to disregard the reports, insisting that they did not emanate from it, reaffirmed its earlier position that Tinubu remains its sole candidate for 2027.