By Aliyu Oyewole
President Bola Tinubu has directed former Senate Leader and Renewed Hope Ambassador in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, to spearhead efforts to reconcile aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and ensure the party presents a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the directive was given during a meeting between the President and Folarin at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, where discussions centred on the political situation within the Oyo APC following the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as the party’s governorship candidate.
The meeting comes amid lingering discontent within the party over the process that produced Alli as the APC flagbearer.
Folarin-Led Meeting Triggered Political Reactions
Two weeks before the meeting with the President, Folarin hosted former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, and Senator Fatai Buhari. The quartet resolved to work for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 but deliberately avoided discussing the governorship race.
Their resolution sparked widespread reactions within the party, particularly after another bloc, known as the G6, insisted that the Oyo APC had not officially recognised any governorship candidate.
Aggrieved Members Raise Concerns Over Reward System
Party insiders disclosed that many aggrieved members believe the APC’s reward system has consistently favoured politicians who allegedly contributed little to the party’s electoral fortunes.
Some members cited the appointment of Adebayo Adelabu as Minister of Power despite his perceived role during the 2023 elections. They also questioned the nomination of Joseph Tegbe, who contested the 2023 senatorial election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as Adelabu’s successor after his resignation.
A party source argued that those who worked to stabilise the APC after the 2023 elections had not received adequate recognition.
“When the party appeared to be in trouble, the leaders knew who could rally everyone together. Senator Teslim Folarin was appointed Renewed Hope Ambassador and successfully reunited the party structures. However, many members felt the governorship candidate did not emerge through broad consultations, which led to the current agitation,” the source said.
Presidency Steps In to Resolve Crisis
With tensions rising, the Presidency reportedly decided to intervene directly while Senator Sharafadeen Alli simultaneously commenced consultations with dissatisfied party leaders.
Sources indicated that Alli’s reconciliation efforts have already yielded some positive results, with at least two aggrieved governorship aspirants reportedly withdrawing their protests and pledging loyalty to the party.
Tinubu Gives Folarin Two Weeks
During the meeting, President Tinubu reportedly instructed Folarin to engage all protesting APC stakeholders and ensure unity across the party before the election campaigns gather momentum.
A source familiar with the discussions said the President requested a comprehensive situation report before stressing the importance of party cohesion.
According to the source, Tinubu charged Folarin to mobilise support for his re-election bid, the National Assembly candidates, Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s governorship ambition, and the party’s House of Assembly candidates.
“The President emphasised that every member of the APC in Oyo State must go into the 2027 election as one united family and expressed confidence that significant progress should be achieved within two weeks,” the source added.
