Former federal lawmaker and Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo North, Shina Peller, has met candidates and party executives from across the senatorial district as the party begins preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, held in Iseyin, brought together candidates for the National Assembly and Oyo State House of Assembly, local government party chairmen, youth and women leaders and other party officials from the 13 local government areas covering the Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso areas.

The session was chaired by the APM senatorial leader, Yussuf Adekunle, and focused on coordinating the party’s structures and campaign activities ahead of the election.

Peller, who represented the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023, told participants that the election presented an opportunity for the district to secure stronger representation at the National Assembly.

He urged the party’s candidates and executives to adopt a grassroots-focused campaign strategy that responds to issues affecting voters across the district.

“What we are building across Oyo North is not merely an electoral platform; it is a popular movement for genuine development and inclusive governance,” Peller said.

He added that candidates contesting at different levels would need to coordinate their activities rather than operate as separate campaign structures.

“To deliver real progress for our people, every candidate, from the State House of Assembly to the Senate, must operate in complete harmony. Our strength lies in our collective structure, our shared vision and our unwavering commitment to the grassroots,” he said.

A key issue discussed at the meeting was the need for an integrated operational structure connecting the senatorial campaign with candidates contesting federal and state constituencies.

Peller said closer coordination would help the party organise its grassroots mobilisation and ensure that activities at ward and polling unit levels complemented the wider campaign.

He also restated his intention to use his experience in the House of Representatives and contacts developed during his time in national politics to pursue issues affecting the district.

Among the areas he identified were agricultural development, youth empowerment and infrastructure.

Peller said Oyo North, despite its importance to agriculture in Oyo State, required greater attention and stronger legislative advocacy at the federal level.

The meeting brought together APM candidates from several federal and state constituencies in the senatorial district.

Those present included Oyeshina Oyedeji, contesting the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency; Abiodun Ali, Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency; Niyi Adebisi, Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency; and John Adisa-Oke, Ogbomosho North/South/Orire Federal Constituency.

House of Assembly candidates at the meeting included Adefabi Fadiran for Iseyin/Itesiwaju; Olugbenga George Adetunji for Kajola; Jimoh Adisa Olabisi for Oorelope; Ogundele Johnson Akintola for Orire; and Bisi Oluranti Oyewo for Ogbomosho North.

Others were Sanjo Adedoyin for Ogbomosho South; Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo for Saki West; Bello Tajudeen Olufemi for Iwajowa; Ayinde Sasay for Irepo/Olorunsogo; and Saminu Riliwan Gbadamoshi for Atisbo/Saki East.

Representatives of the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, and Oyo State governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, also attended on their behalf, according to the organisers.

Party officials at the meeting pledged to strengthen the APM’s presence at ward and polling unit levels and increase engagement with voters across the district.

The participants also agreed on areas of focus for the party’s preparations, including voter engagement, outreach to young people and women, polling unit protection and consultations with traditional and community leaders.

The meeting comes as political activity gradually intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and prospective candidates beginning to organise their structures and define their campaign strategies.

The Oyo North senatorial contest is expected to attract particular attention following Senator Abdulfatai Buhari’s reported decision not to seek another term in the Senate as he pursues other political ambitions.

For the APM, the Iseyin meeting provided an opportunity for its candidates and party officials to establish a common approach to the election and begin preparations ahead of the formal campaign period.