A fresh wave of tension has erupted within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reports emerge that party leaders in Abuja have allegedly thrown their weight behind the minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, popularly known as “Penkelemes,” to fly the party’s gubernatorial ticket for the 2027 elections.
The decision is said to have triggered another wave of internal discord, with various factions expressing discontent over what they perceive as imposition by the party’s national leadership.
Sources privy to a top level meeting of the Oyo APC stakeholders held at the Villa in Abuja two week ago revealed to westernmirror.com.ng on anonymous condition, that Abuja’s endorsement of Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the 2019 APC governorship candidate, is aimed at consolidating support for him ahead of the next election.
The source said: “According to the outcome of the meeting, Adelabu has been adopted to fly the APC flag against PDP in Oyo state by 2027 so, the recent move is to ensure that all other party stakeholders in the state aligns with the choice of ‘Penkelemes’ who is actually President Tinubu’s political son.”
“The battle within the party now is that Adelabu already has his own preferred running mate who is different from who the APC is looking to field. And don’t forget that the Folarin camp is watching keenly if there would be primary election or not.
“But I can confirm to you that Adelabu has formed an alliance with Fatal Buhari, who, loyalists of Mrs. Florence Ajimobi are working to sideline from the party.
Providing more insights from the meeting, the source listed two former Oyo state deputy governors; Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and Fatai Ibikunle, Senator Fatai Buhari, Professor Adeolu Akande, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, FIRS Chairman; Zaccheus Adedeji, and the minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu as APC stakeholders from Oyo state present at the meeting.
According to the source, the Oyo APC stakeholders have been directed to go home and rally support for Adelabu as the party’s preferred choice for Oyo state ahead of the forthcoming 2027 guber race.
However, this move has not gone down well with several key stakeholders who according to the source, argued that the selection process of whoever will fly the party’s flag come 2027 as its governorship candidate should reflect the will of party members in the state through a properly conducted primary election.
Adelabu was handed five slots and directed to produce the names of the five APC stakeholders from Oyo state to the meeting held at the Villa two weeks ago at a program organized by the First Lady and wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu.
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, the party is said to be allegedly scouting for a running mate from Ogbomoso zone even though Adelabu had already penned down former House of Reps member; Honorable Kola Olabiyi, who hails from Oke-Ogun area of the state.
“The decision has divided the party, while some believe that Adelabu is the president’s political son with the experience to challenge the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde, and his People’s Democratic Party (PDP), others see this as another top-down imposition that may backfire,” the source said.
Acknowledging that Oyo APC has been polarized along two major blocs; loyalists to wife of former governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and the Senator Fatai Buhari bloc, the source revealed that the Senator Teslim Folarin’s bloc awaits the final decision from Abuja either the party would go to the polls for primary election or a candidate would be imposed from Abuja.
The source disclosed further that even though Adelabu appears to be the favorite of Abuja, the choice of a running mate different from Adelabu’s choice may further deepen the unfolding drama within the party in the state.
“The battle is now between Adelabu’s Kola Olabiyi and the party’s unnamed younger brother to the Federal Inland Revenue boss, Zaccheus Adedeji from Ogbomoso zone,” the source added.
The source also revealed that a fresh wave of internal wrangling had erupted in Itesiwaju local government chapter of APC in Oyo state following Professor Adeolu’s decision to field an allegedly non APC member as the party’s representative on the 5-man list present at the Abuja meeting.
It was gathered that Adelabu had given Professor Akande a slot from the 5-man list handed to him to attend the Abuja meeting. Professor Akande had consequently handed his slot to a core loyalist alleged to be a non APC member in Itesiwaju local government area of Oke-Ogun zone. This has led to the internal dispute within the party.
Adelabu, known for his “Penkelemes” moniker — a nod to the historic political drama involving his grandfather, Adegoke Adelabu, in the 1950s — has remained a polarizing figure in Oyo politics. His loss to Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019 and subsequent defection to the Accord Party ahead of the 2023 elections raised questions about his loyalty. His recent return to the APC has further fueled suspicions about backdoor deals and political maneuvering.
As the search for a deputy intensifies, notable figures from Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso have reportedly been approached to fill the slot, with party insiders hinting that the eventual choice will be crucial in determining the party’s chances at the polls.
For now, the internal wrangling threatens to deepen existing cracks within the party, raising concerns that unresolved grievances could lead to a repeat of past electoral misfortunes. Whether the alleged adoption of Adelabu will unify the APC or widen the rift remains to be seen.
Credit: Westernmirror
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