An aspirant for the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Samuel Adenitan Oluwaseun, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the political affairs of Oyo State by reconciling the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and former governorship candidate of the party, Teslim Kolawole Folarin, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adenitan, in a political statement titled “Act Now — Oyo Is Watching,” warned that the APC risks another electoral setback in Oyo State if influential leaders within the party fail to unite and work together before the next election cycle.
According to him, Oyo State remains one of the most politically strategic states in the South-West and should not be treated lightly in the calculations for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The APC aspirant argued that the future success of the party in the state largely depends on harmony between traditional institutions and political stakeholders, particularly the relationship between Oba Ladoja and Senator Folarin.
He noted that past misunderstandings and political disagreements between both figures contributed significantly to the fragmentation within the opposition camp during previous elections, a development he said weakened the APC and strengthened rival parties.
“The history between both leaders is well documented. Their fallout over earlier governorship tickets and subsequent political contests disrupted a promising alliance and handed victory to political opponents,” he stated.
Adenitan, however, observed that recent political developments suggest that both leaders may already be moving towards reconciliation.
He recalled that during the 2023 governorship election, Oba Ladoja publicly endorsed Senator Folarin and appealed to his supporters to forgive past grievances and support the APC candidate.
He added that Senator Folarin has also consistently acknowledged the role played by the Olubadan in his political journey, often describing him as a respected political leader whose guidance remains invaluable.
According to Adenitan, the time has come for the APC leadership to transform that renewed understanding into a structured political alliance capable of repositioning the party ahead of 2027.
The federal constituency aspirant further commended Senator Folarin’s ongoing consultations and political tours across the state’s federal constituencies, saying the initiative had already helped to reconnect several APC stakeholders and former rivals.
He mentioned notable party figures including Adebayo Adelabu, Sharafadeen Alli, Abdulfatai Buhari and Yunus Akintunde as some of the leaders now being brought together under the Renewed Hope agenda in Oyo State.
Despite those efforts, Adenitan maintained that party structures alone would not be enough to secure electoral victory without the backing of traditional authorities, grassroots mobilisation and elite consensus.
“In Ibadanland, no voice carries more weight than that of the Olubadan,” he said.
He therefore urged President Tinubu, as the national leader of the APC and a prominent South-West political figure, to personally facilitate a strategic meeting involving the Olubadan, Senator Folarin and all APC aspirants in Oyo State.
According to him, such intervention would reduce internal crises within the party, discourage unhealthy rivalry during party primaries and strengthen unity among stakeholders.
He also stated that collaboration between the palace and the APC political structure would significantly improve voter mobilisation efforts and boost support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Drawing comparisons with states like Lagos, Kano and Borno, Adenitan argued that strong cooperation between traditional institutions and ruling party structures had historically contributed to political stability and electoral success.
“Oyo APC cannot win fractured. The President needs Oyo State for him to be re-elected, and all hands must work together in unity,” he added.
He concluded by warning that the era of “piecemeal reconciliation” must come to an end, insisting that only total political synergy can guarantee APC’s success in Oyo State in 2027.
