Party Cohesion: Oyo APC Leaders Folarin,  Guber Hopeful Alli Signal Reconciliation

By Segun Adebayo

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may be moving towards reconciliation following a meeting between former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, and the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, held at Folarin’s residence in Ibadan on Monday.

Per Second News (PSN) gathered that the meeting has raised hopes of an end to the divisions that have characterised the party in the state, with the two political heavyweights appearing to move towards a common front ahead of the 2027 general election.

PSN learnt that Folarin’s position on Alli’s candidacy had remained uncertain since the latter emerged as the APC’s preferred candidate for the governorship election, with no clear public indication from his camp of support for the party’s choice.

However, Monday’s meeting brought together prominent APC figures in the state, including Alli and his running mate, Adesoji Adedeji, in what could signal a fresh effort to unite the party’s leading factions.

Adedeji is the younger brother of Zach Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, (formerly the Federal Inland Revenue Service.)

The development comes as the APC seeks to consolidate its political base in Oyo State and position itself to challenge the ruling party in the state at the next general election.

Folarin’s return to Ibadan followed his inauguration as the Oyo State Coordinator of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign, a role expected to place him at the centre of the APC’s mobilisation efforts across the state.

Addressing a large crowd of supporters at his Oluyole residence, the former Senate Leader urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain committed to securing victory for the APC in 2027.

He stressed the need for unity, dedication and hard work at all levels, charging party faithful to work towards victory for Tinubu in the presidential election, Alli in the governorship race and other APC candidates contesting various positions.

The renewed engagement between Folarin and Alli comes against the backdrop of political developments within the ruling camp of Governor Seyi Makinde, with reports of resignations by some prominent figures in his administration.

Among those who have reportedly left the government is former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, alongside other political heavyweights whose departures have drawn attention to the changing political landscape in the state.

Makinde, however, has appeared unfazed by the resignations, as attention increasingly shifts towards the alignments and calculations expected to shape the 2027 contest.

The governor is backing Bimbo Adekambi, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as the race to succeed him gathers momentum.

For the APC, the emerging engagement between Folarin and Alli could prove significant if it translates into sustained cooperation among the party’s influential leaders and supporters across Oyo State.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the challenge for the opposition party will be to turn the latest signs of rapprochement into a united campaign capable of mounting a serious challenge for Agodi Government House.