…Tags Alli, Akande, Ajanaku, Olaosebikan, Others as APC’s ‘Victory Boosters’ Ahead of 2027 Polls
A prominent businessman, politician, and stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, Chief Kehinde Adenihun, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the ruling party to urgently intervene in the growing crisis emanating from the party’s primary elections across the country, warning that failure to do so could precipitate a significant electoral setback in the 2027 general elections.
Adenihun expressed concern that the controversies, allegations of manipulation, and widespread dissatisfaction trailing the APC primaries have created deep divisions within the party, capable of undermining its electoral fortunes if left unresolved.
According to him, the APC leadership must demonstrate sincerity, transparency, and political courage in reviewing complaints arising from the primaries, stressing that only a credible reconciliation process can restore confidence among party members and grassroots supporters.
“All is not well within the APC at the moment,” he said. “The warning signs are visible. If the party fails to address the grievances generated by the primaries, it may be heading toward avoidable political losses in 2027. The responsibility now rests on President Tinubu and the national leadership to ensure that justice, fairness, and internal democracy prevail.”
He argued that the conduct of some primary elections across the federation fell short of the democratic standards expected of a ruling party and warned that such developments could alienate loyal members and discourage voters who expect the APC to serve as a model of political accountability.
Oyo North: “A Strategic Asset Must Not Be Sacrificed”
Using Oyo State as a case study, Adenihun cited the APC senatorial primary in Oyo North Senatorial District as one of the contests that generated widespread concern among party faithful.
According to him, Professor Adeolu Akande enjoyed overwhelming support among delegates and party stakeholders and was widely regarded as the most formidable candidate for the senatorial seat.
“Prof. Adeolu Akande reportedly commanded overwhelming delegate support and emerged as the winner of the primary election. Yet, APC electoral officials declined to announce him, opting instead for deliberate ambiguity,” Adenihun stated.
He noted that many APC members in Oke-Ogun had initially preferred Akande as a governorship aspirant due to his extensive experience, political reach, intellectual capacity, and grassroots appeal. However, they accepted the party’s strategic considerations when he opted for the senatorial race.
“Oke-Ogun would have preferred Prof. Akande as our governorship standard-bearer. He is the region’s most credible and trusted statesman. We subordinated that aspiration in deference to the party’s leadership and settled for the senatorial ticket. His political capital, national network, and grassroots depth make him an electoral asset not just for the senatorial race, but for the presidential and governorship tickets as well.
“His influence transcends Oke-Ogun and extends across the state and beyond. He possesses the experience, network, and credibility required to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects at every level. To sacrifice such a candidate for a less popular and less acceptable alternative amounts to political self-sabotage and electoral suicide,” he stated.
He warned that sidelining candidates perceived by party members as credible, experienced, and widely acceptable could weaken the APC’s campaign structure and diminish enthusiasm among supporters.
Ibadan South-West/North-West: “The Ajanaku Controversy”
Adenihun also referenced discussions he had while in Ibadan regarding the APC primary for the Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency, describing the developments as troubling and potentially damaging to the party’s reputation.
According to him, party stakeholders initially embraced a consensus arrangement that reportedly produced Rotimi Ajanaku as the preferred candidate. Thereafter, a formal election was scheduled and conducted, with Ajanaku allegedly emerging victorious and being announced as the winner.
He expressed surprise over subsequent developments which, according to reports available to him, culminated in the emergence of another candidate-a situation that sparked protests among party supporters.
Adenihun argued that Ajanaku’s political relevance extends far beyond his immediate constituency, citing his longstanding grassroots engagement, philanthropy, and influence across several local government areas in Ibadan.
“From the accounts I gathered, Ajanaku enjoys considerable goodwill among the people. His interventions during periods of economic hardships, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, earned him widespread respect across several communities. Such individuals constitute valuable political capital for any party.”
He further maintained that the APC’s electoral decline in the constituency did not occur overnight but could be traced to developments during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. According to him, a series of internal political disagreements, coupled with decisions that were perceived by many party faithful as unfair, resulted in the alienation of some of the party’s most influential stakeholders, notably Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku. Adenihun noted that Ajanaku had, over the years, invested substantial political capital, resources, and grassroots structures in strengthening the APC within the constituency. He argued that the deterioration of the relationship between the party leadership and such strategic figures gradually weakened the party’s electoral machinery, diminished grassroots enthusiasm, and created opportunities for opposition parties to gain ground. He added that the constituency’s subsequent electoral outcomes should serve as a lesson on the dangers of sidelining loyal and popular party stakeholders.
Oluyole Constituency: Concerns Over Credibility
The APC stalwart further pointed to the controversy surrounding the Oluyole Federal Constituency primary, where conflicting reports allegedly produced multiple claimants to victory.
He noted that the situation generated confusion among party members and voters alike, particularly because of the popularity of some aspirants within the constituency.
Adenihun specifically referenced Kehinde Olaosebikan, whom he described as a grassroots politician with broad acceptance among residents of the constituency due to his longstanding relationship with the people and proven mobilization capacity.
“Political parties must ensure that their nomination processes are transparent and beyond reproach. Once members begin to question the credibility of internal elections, the consequences can be far-reaching,” he warned.
Credible Candidates Remain APC’s Best Electoral Strategy
The Oke-Ogun politician maintained that with the prevailing economic and political realities confronting the country, APC cannot afford self-inflicted wounds ahead of the 2027 elections.
He emphasized that the party requires candidates with proven popularity, strong grassroots structures, positive public perception, and demonstrable records of service.
“The APC must field candidates who can freely walk among the people without relying on political machinery or security protection to command support. The electorate today is more discerning, and antecedents matter more than ever before,” he said.
Adenihun argued that candidates who enjoy organic acceptance among voters would significantly improve the party’s chances of securing victory in both presidential and governorship contests.
Building a Winning Coalition in Oyo State
According to him, the APC would be strategically positioned for success in Oyo State if it fields widely respected figures such as Yunus Akintunde, Remi Oseni, Adeolu Akande, Rotimi Ajanaku, and Kehinde Olaosebikan, alongside other credible aspirants.
He also highlighted the importance of the guidance and support of experienced party leaders such as Ayoade Adeseun, Fatai Ibikunle, and Teslim Folarin, noting that unity among party stakeholders remains essential to electoral success.
Oke-Ogun’s Position and the Case for Adeolu Akande
Addressing agitation from some quarters for the Oke-Ogun region to produce the APC governorship candidate, Adenihun urged patience and strategic thinking.
He stated that while Oke-Ogun possesses capable leaders, the region’s immediate political priority should be securing the Oyo North Senatorial seat through the emergence of Professor Adeolu Akande.
“When our people began clamouring for the governorship ticket, I advised restraint. Professor Adeolu Akande remains our most qualified and marketable political figure, and he has chosen the senatorial route in the overall interest of the party. The leadership of the APC must support that aspiration. Anything short of that would amount to denying Oke-Ogun its legitimate political opportunity,” he said.
“Sharafadeen Alli Remains APC’s Strongest Governorship Option”
Adenihun concluded by declaring that Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli remains the APC’s most formidable governorship prospect in Oyo State ahead of 2027.
He recalled Alli’s contributions to the party’s growth and electoral successes over the years, describing him as a loyal party man, seasoned administrator, and accomplished grassroots mobiliser.
According to him, Alli played a significant role in the political developments that culminated in the emergence of the late Abiola Ajimobi as governor in 2011 and remained committed to the party’s success during subsequent election cycles.
“Let us not delude ourselves: Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli remains the APC’s most viable and formidable governorship candidate in Oyo State. He commands the grassroots appeal, political pedigree, and strategic alignment the party needs to reclaim power,” Adenihun stated.
“His political capital is not in doubt. In 2011, he played a pivotal role in Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s emergence as governor—a fact well known to our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. When the post-election agreement was jettisoned and Senator Alli was denied the SSG position, both Asiwaju Tinubu and the late Aare Arisekola Alao intervened, resulting in his appointment as Chairman of O’odua Investment Company Limited. Those in doubt can verify this directly from Asiwaju.
“In 2023, Senator Alli demonstrated unwavering loyalty, political dexterity, and organizational capacity. He stood firm throughout the electioneering cycle and mobilized extensively on election day for Senator Teslim Folarin’s governorship aspiration.
“Senator Sharafadeen Alli has paid his dues. He has remained steadfast through difficult political seasons and demonstrated unwavering commitment to the APC. He possesses the political maturity, grassroots acceptance, and leadership credentials required to lead the party’s charge in Oyo State.
“He is a consummate grassroots mobilizer with deep ward-to-ward reach and unmatched party loyalty. The political momentum is increasingly aligning in his favour, and the party should leverage that advantage heading into the 2027 electoral cycle,” he added.
He therefore urged the APC leadership to prioritize fairness, inclusiveness, and merit in resolving disputes arising from the primaries, stressing that only a united and reconciled party can effectively compete and secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
“For the APC to maximize this opportunity in Oyo State, the party must prioritize internal cohesion and field credible, winnable candidates across all elective positions. A strong, credible, and well-balanced ticket will generate the electoral momentum required to secure victory for Senator Alli and reposition the APC as the preferred choice of the electorates in Oyo State,” Chief Adenihun concluded
