Politics

Consensus, Zoning and Wildcards: Inside Lagos APC 2027 Calculations

Published

4 months ago

April 7, 2026

As Lagos gears up for the 2027 governorship election, the race within the APC is shaping up to be a contest of technocratic competence, party loyalty, and strategic zoning, but the party’s consensus model and President Bola Tinubu and the Governor’s Advisory Council’s historical penchant for surprising selections also opens up the possibility of wildcard candidates, writes WALE AKINSELURE

Lagos has long been a fortress of the All Progressives Congress, which has consistently produced the state’s governor since 1999, projecting an image of unshakeable dominance. That grip was first seriously challenged when the APC lost the 2023 presidential election to the Labour Party, a shock that continues to haunt party politicians. APC stakeholders attribute the loss to disunity during the campaign, the ripple effects of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, and the nationwide Obidient wave. Even though the APC comfortably won the Lagos governorship, the unexpected presidential defeat exposed vulnerabilities in the party’s stronghold. Now, for the first time in nearly three decades, the stakes for picking the consensus Lagos APC governorship candidate are higher, with aspirants divided among competing political blocs and the city’s elite bracing for a contest where loyalty, strategy, and ambition collide.

The 2027 mandate

The pain of that loss continues to reverberate, evidenced by the rhetoric of APC politicians ahead of the 2027 election. At every forum, the past is recalled, with politicians vowing to do all it takes to avert a repeat of the 2023 result in Lagos. Chairman, Lagos APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, said reversing the 2023 result would also be a way of appreciating Tinubu, whom he described as a leader who had contributed significantly to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria’s democracy. Ojelabi said, “You are coming on board at a very critical period, a period when we are very close to the emergence of our candidates for the 2027 election. All eyes are on us, and the question they are asking is: are we going to change the narrative? They are asking if we are going to consolidate on the achievements of our party since 1999, and also change the narrative of our performance in the presidential election we witnessed in 2023. That particular question should preoccupy our minds, and it is a task that must be done collectively. So, the rallying call is that of unity among all groups, movements across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in the state, ahead of the 2027 election.

Ambition in the shadows

For the past months, groups and individuals have continued to lead campaigns for the return of President Bola Tinubu for a second term. Most of these Tinubu for second term campaigns have been led by politicians believed to be eyeing the Lagos governorship seat. While promoting Tinubu, these aspirants subtly promote their own governorship ambitions. Among them is Mr Samuel Ajose from the Badagry division of the state, under the SMA movement, who staged a rally at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, to mobilise support for Tinubu’s second term bid. The rally, tagged “SMA Gold Mobilisation for Asiwaju,” attracted over 20,000 persons across the 57 local council areas in the state. In fact, the SMA large-sized billboards rallying support for Tinubu’s second term are visible not only in Lagos but across the other five states of the South-West geopolitical zone. Similarly, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, also organised an interfaith prayer session in Ikeja, Lagos, to commemorate Tinubu’s 74th birthday. The event organised under the platform of The Mandate Movement featured calls for continuity of Tinubu’s administration beyond 2027 to consolidate the gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda. At the Obasa-organised event, former Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also a potential candidate, praised Tinubu’s leadership, urging Nigerians to rally behind the president’s re-election bid. At a rally organised by the APC leadership in the Lagos East Senatorial District, held in Ikorodu, Lagos, Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, called for support for Tinubu’s second term bid. The decision of some notable politicians to conceal any purported governorship ambition under the banner of promoting Tinubu’s second term bid is in line with the peculiarities of Lagos politics. A party chieftain argued that, given the trajectory of Lagos politics, where the ruling party has never picked anyone whose name is largely in the news or widely speculated, it would be detrimental for anyone to go all out pushing for their candidature. However, he noted, “No two elections are the same.”

So far, several Lagos politicians have kept their governorship desires at the level of consultations and hushed tones, except for Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, who has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Lagos governorship election under the platform of the APC. These consultations are expected to get more intense among stakeholders in the Lagos project, ahead of the commencement of party primaries for the 2027 elections on April 23. Aside from the earlier-mentioned names, others being promoted by APC supporters as potential candidates of the party are the current deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; and the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu. Only a few opposition members have declared their interest in running in the 2027 election. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who was the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has joined the African Democratic Congress and has expressed his desire to run again for governorship in 2027. Similarly, a former House of Representatives candidate, Naheem Balogun, also declared interest. For the PDP, there is also a businessman and entrepreneur, Laja Adeoye.

Fractured fortress?

Since 1999, political parties aligned with Tinubu: the Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria, and now the APC, have consistently produced the state’s governor. Tinubu governed the state from 1999 to 2007; former Governor Babatunde Fashola from 2007 to 2015; ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode from 2015 to 2019; and the incumbent, whose tenure began in 2019, is billed to expire on May 29, 2027.

For the first time since 1999, the Labour Party, through Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, pushed the Peoples Democratic Party from its constant second position to third place in the 2023 election. The APC candidate, Sanwo-Olu, received 762,134 votes, while the LP candidate received 312,329 votes. Sanwo-Olu (APC) won by a margin of 449,805 votes.

Since 1999, the closest the PDP has been to winning was in 2015, when Akinwunmi Ambode (APC) polled 811,944 votes against Jimi Agbaje (PDP), who scored 659,788 votes—a margin of 152,206. Meanwhile, the largest margin between the winner and the PDP candidate was in 2011, when Babatunde Fashola won by 1,208,663 votes, polling 1,509,113 votes against Shamisideen Adegboye’s 300,450.

Clearly, opposition efforts to dislodge the APC have consistently faltered. Only the PDP and Labour Party have attempted to wrest power from the ruling APC. However, present divisions in both parties suggest they may not match their previous vote counts in Lagos. PDP members in Lagos are split between the Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde factions. The LP is also in limbo with internal crises, while Obidients await guidance from former LP presidential candidate Peter Obi. The African Democratic Congress, branded as the new opposition, has not yet shown the capacity to challenge the APC in Lagos. Recent electoral losses further raise doubts about its formidability ahead of 2027. Yet, opposition members continue to assert that the forthcoming general election will be between Nigerians and the APC, on what platform remains unclear.

Head of the Political Science Department, Lagos State University, Dr Moshood Babatunde, decries the bleak state of opposition in Lagos. Babatunde said, “The future of opposition parties still seems bleak in Nigeria. The new African Democratic Party doesn’t have a strong footing in Nigeria, and Lagos specifically. The old Peoples Democratic Party has become a problem unto itself. You can then ask, where is the formidable opposition to wrest power in Lagos come 2027?” He notes that Tinubu will want to consolidate his reach in his base. “This gives further impetus to APC in Lagos and poses a serious threat to any opposition, if one exists,” Babatunde said. He, however, highlights the need for opposition to drive good governance in the state. “People’s opposition is what will count and what will favour any fragments of political parties come 2027,” he added.

Another political science professor, Sylvester Akhaine, said, “Given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, Tinubu has never really had a total grip on the population but control of the political machinery.” He notes, however, that Tinubu may again determine who becomes the next Lagos governor, given the authority he commands as president. Akhaine said, “Currently, he (Tinubu) holds a trump card by virtue of his control of central authority, which could go a long way in determining who wins in Lagos.”

A Lagos APC chieftain simply noted that the real battle lies in who emerges as the APC candidate, while defeating the opposition would be “easy peasy.”

The Tinubu playbook

In Lagos, history favours the emergence of a consensus candidate, around whom other aspirants, party structures, and members are expected to rally to ensure victory. Typically, Tinubu, as head of the Governor’s Advisory Council, mentions some names for scrutiny. The GAC comprises political leaders across state zones, including serving and former governors and deputy governors. After interviews, stakeholder consultations, and meetings with traditional institutions, Lagos leaders, and stakeholders, the GAC recommends one or two names for Tinubu’s approval. Tinubu usually trusts the GAC’s recommendation, after which the candidate emerges.

According to a GAC member, key factors for candidate selection include the ability to “continue Lagos’ development trajectory, implement policies without disruption, show loyalty to party powerbrokers, and work with Lagos elites.” Preference is usually given to technocrats who are seen as more capable of advancing developmental projects than politicians. However, a party chieftain warned that, based on 2023’s experience, a politician who understands Lagos politics’ peculiarities should be chosen. Another noted that, with social media and greater public sophistication, any “abracadabra” that worked in the past may not work this time. Factors considered include competence, past governance or public service performance, appeal to stakeholders from state to ward level, perceived acceptance by Lagosians, ability to mobilise support and fund grassroots outreach, tendency to avoid controversy, and respect for party hierarchy. “The choice is largely influenced by who can protect the interests of Lagos brokers while delivering results acceptable to most Lagosians,” a GAC member said.

Speaking on where things stand, a member of the GAC, Chief Muraina Taiwo, said, “The name Hamzat being mentioned is possible, but the GAC has not reached a consensus on a candidate. At our last meeting, we did not even discuss the Lagos governorship candidate. We discussed the progress of the APC both at the national level and in Lagos. The decision on candidature will be made at the GAC. Hamzat is on the ground and has his leaders, but the issue is that the issue of governorship has not been brought up at the GAC. When we sit, discuss, and there is no objection, and our leader, the President, approves of it, then the candidate would emerge. Other purported aspirants joined the GAC meeting, including ex-governor Akinwunmi Ambode; the deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Tokunbo Abiru; and Femi Gbajabiamila. They were already there with the leader before we arrived.”

Zoning wars

For 2027, there is a clamour for the candidate to emerge from the Lagos East Senatorial District. Advocates argue it is the zone with the fewest years in power. Lagos Central, with Raji Fashola and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, boasts 16 years; Lagos West, with Bola Tinubu, eight years; Lagos East, with Akinwunmi Ambode, four years, the least. Potential Lagos East candidates include Ambode, Hamzat, Alausa, Abiru, Ayinde, and Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.

Ambode has a strong administrative record as governor; though he previously lost support of some stakeholders, he did not rock the boat and maintained party ties with credentials that can be leveraged on if endorsed Party stakeholders however note that the sentiment of being allowed to have a second time like others, having previously had only one term, may not be enough for him to emerge. Hamzat is seen as cerebral, educated, policy-oriented, and experienced, having been in political circles since 1999. He also boasts of strong family ties to the GAC, as his father was a former GAC leader. If he gets the candidature, he would be breaking a jinx in Lagos as no deputy governor has ever become the party’s candidate. Alausa has sufficient public service and corporate background. He fits the technocrat bill with governance experience as minister, but would require broad party rallying to emerge. But a member of the party exco in the state confidently said, “Alausa will get it.” Abiru, a banker with technocratic experience, is seen as a loyal technocrat with strong administrative credentials, appealing to youth and grassroots engagement. Chief of Staff Ayinde boasts of an appreciable administrative background and strong insider influence. Furthermore, the Lagos East push is also fuelled by the calculation that the outgoing governor is from Lagos Central and the party chairman is from Lagos West. However, Lagos West stakeholders argue that they have yet to match Lagos Central. Potential Lagos West candidates include Speaker Obasa, Jandor, Samuel Ajose, and Seyi Tinubu. Obasa, speaker since 2015, is politically experienced and has a strong political network; however may not be strong on the technocrat categorisation. At a constituency event organised by federal lawmaker Wale Ahmed last year, the people of Agege constituency declared that they are Obasa foot soldiers and are simply awaiting the whistle to blow in their leader’s favour for them to go all out in the race. Notably, he was able to raise his head above water when the political waters of impeachment almost drowned him. However, he would require broad party and stakeholder support to overcome those forces that once attempted to drown him, which may still exist. There are permutations that Obasa may be handed a senatorial ticket in place of the governorship push.

Both Ajose, popularly called SMA and Jandor are pushing the “Badagry lokan” cause. Religious, community, women, youth groups, including traditional rulers, have held various town hall meetings and gatherings in Badagry, urging Tinubu to pick their son, Mawuyon Ajose, as the party’s candidate. They argue that Badagry has never produced a governor and seek to break what they call a historical imbalance. Ajose has been active locally and promoted Tinubu’s second-term bid; Jandor, with Lagos4Lagos, returned to APC after contesting in 2023 under PDP. He declared his bid but promised to subordinate it to party decisions for 2027.

Some groups have held events encouraging Seyi Tinubu to run for the governorship. They downplay the fact that his father is president, urging that Lagosians look at his capabilities. However, there remains speculation that any such bid may be aimed at 2031. A GAC member noted that zoning is not decisive; Lagos politics is fluid, and leaders are chosen for governance competence and continuity. “Merit is important; good governance has nothing to do with religion,” a stakeholder said. Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said the party is ready to mobilise behind any candidate and dismissed the opposition’s chances in 2027.

Calculating the religious balance

Like zoning, stakeholders downplay religion in candidate selection. Some argue that Governor Sanwo-Olu, a Christian, should be succeeded by a Muslim. Since 1999, Muslims have had 16 years with Tinubu and Fashola, while Christians will have 12 years by 2027 with Ambode and Sanwo-Olu. A party stakeholder said, “If Muslims argue that they should succeed Sanwo-Olu, Christians can make the same calculation. In fact, the three Senators are Muslims: Abiru, Idiat Adebule, and Eshilokun Wasiu. Obasa is Muslim, and the House of Assembly and House of Reps are dominated by Muslims.”

The Wildcard factor

Observers argue that Tinubu is adept at identifying talent, so someone outside the purported aspirants may emerge. A top party stakeholder said, “When you project based on past experiences, I won’t be surprised if none of those names going around emerges. All of them are rallying round the Asiwaju for 2027 project to market themselves, but it doesn’t confer on them being anointed. You hardly ever see it coming. This is buttressed by another party stalwart who said, “No one who has on his own thrown his hand into the ring has ever emerged.” “Fashola was almost a reluctant governor; there was a multitude of people who were also as eminently qualified

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Politics

Adeleke alleges rigging threat, challenges Oyetola

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has described a statement by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election as an indication that the All Progressives Congress plans to rig the poll.

Adeleke made the allegation in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and obtained by our correspondent in Osogbo on Sunday.

The PUNCH reports that Oyetola had on Saturday urged Adeleke to prepare for defeat in the August 15 governorship election, saying his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu would not save his administration.

Oyetola spoke while addressing APC stakeholders and supporters in Osun State.

The former governor, who lost his re-election bid to Adeleke in the 2022 governorship election, was responding to allegations by Adeleke that APC members and leaders of the Accord were being intimidated ahead of the poll.

Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola said Adeleke’s complaints showed that the governor had realised he was losing his grip on the state.

He said Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu would not prevent the APC from reclaiming the governorship seat.

Oyetola said, “They realised that they are already losing out. Then they claimed to have endorsed us. He almost cried. Endorsement cannot retain this seat for you. We are taking it over.

“If you like, make 10 endorsements, we will collect this one from you.”

Reacting, Adeleke described Oyetola’s comment as an “open threat” to rig the governorship election and called on democracy advocates to take note of the development.

He vowed that the people of Osun State would resist any attempt to manipulate the August 15 election and demanded a free and fair poll.

According to the statement, Oyetola had condemned Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu for another term in 2027, saying in Yoruba, “A maa gba lowo e,” meaning “we will snatch it from him.”

Adeleke said his endorsement of Tinubu was an indication of his electoral strength and his ability to deliver Osun votes to the President in 2027.

He alleged that Oyetola’s activities were damaging Tinubu’s image and weakening the APC’s standing in the state.

Adeleke said, “Oyetola’s anti-people, anti-democracy activities are tarnishing the image of Mr President and deepening the unpopularity of Osun APC among voters and residents.

“A serving minister of the Republic had made an open threat against a free and fair election. The minister has personally confirmed all previous reports that Osun APC has lost the electoral confidence of the people and is therefore focused only on rigging next Saturday.

“The minister has made a mockery of innocent Accord members who were killed and maimed by APC thugs in cold blood in the last two months. He has told the world that he is pushing to deny the people their rights to vote and be voted for.

“The bad news for the minister is that Osun people are determined to resist his sadistic agenda. Our people rejected him in 2022, and they will reject his surrogate candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, next Saturday.

“As for us, we are winning this election by the grace of God and mass support of the people. We are not going to snatch the democratic rights of the people as Mr Oyetola had threatened. We will be re-elected by the choice of the voters.”

Source: punchng.com

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Politics

Atiku accuses Obasanjo of 20-year campaign of lies, deceit

Published

8 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of sustaining a campaign of “lies, political manipulation and orchestrated deceit” against him for more than two decades, saying the former president’s latest allegations are collapsing “like a pack of cards.”

Atiku stated this on Sunday through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in a reaction to a recent claim by Obasanjo that the former vice president mobilised the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, to remove him from office during their tenure between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo reportedly made the allegation on July 23, reviving one of the long-running political controversies surrounding his relationship with Atiku.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Ibe said it had become a pattern for Obasanjo to revive allegations of betrayal and corruption against Atiku whenever an election cycle approaches.

“This time, he chose to make a man who passed away nearly three years ago the subject of his baseless allegation,” Ibe said.

He added that Na’Abba, who died in 2023, could no longer respond to the allegation, describing the claim as malicious.

Ibe, however, cited former member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Bwari, who served as Chief Whip during the 1999-2007 sessions, as contradicting Obasanjo’s account.

According to Bwari, Na’Abba never sought Obasanjo’s removal, adding, however, that Atiku instead acted as an emissary to lawmakers on behalf of the former president.

The Atiku camp also challenged another narrative surrounding the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku during the build-up to the 2003 presidential election.

Ibe cited a video in which former Abia State governor and then Peoples Democratic Party governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, said it was Atiku who knelt before PDP governors to seek their support for Obasanjo’s re-election.

“Atiku knelt down; we were like 17 governors. He knelt down for us and said that he does not want to be disloyal to Obasanjo. That four years is like four days,” Kalu was quoted as saying.

According to Ibe, Kalu’s account contradicted claims allegedly promoted by Obasanjo’s camp that the former president had been forced to kneel before Atiku to secure the latter’s support for a second term.

Ibe further quoted Kalu as saying that PDP governors had been making arrangements that could have resulted in Atiku emerging as president but that Atiku declined to betray Obasanjo, who had previously entrusted him with the position of vice president.

“Atiku was almost a President. We had gotten everyone to postpone the (PDP) convention and had gotten what we needed to move forward, but he (Atiku) said this man (Obasanjo) trusted him, and allowed him to work with him. That he cannot betray Obasanjo,” Kalu said, according to the statement.

The statement also revisited one of the most contentious episodes in the political relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku: the investigation into the Petroleum Technology Development Fund shortly before the 2007 presidential election.

Obasanjo had asked the Senate to investigate alleged financial impropriety involving the PTDF.

Atiku denied wrongdoing and presented himself for investigation, arguing that the funds in question remained in fixed deposit accounts.

Atiku also maintained at the time that the allegations were politically motivated and linked to his opposition to Obasanjo’s controversial bid for a third term in office.

Ibe relied on accounts contained in the autobiography of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, titled Awujale, to further challenge the narrative surrounding the PTDF controversy.

According to Ibe, Oba Adetona’s account detailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s treatment of Globacom Chairman, Mike Adenuga, during the period.

The statement quoted Oba Adetona as writing that EFCC officials went to Adenuga’s Lagos residence on July 9, 2006, broke through the gate and kept him under arrest before he was subsequently released after questioning.

“The EFCC purportedly were on the trail of some money belonging to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, but there was really more beneath the veneer,” Oba Adetona wrote, according to the statement.

Ibe alleged that the investigation was part of an effort to connect Adenuga to Atiku over claims concerning PTDF funds.

He further rejected the allegation that Adenuga used money from the PTDF to pay for Globacom’s operating licence, saying the businessman obtained financing from BNP Paribas Bank for the transaction.

The statement also drew attention to Oba Adetona’s account of his dealings with Adenuga after the businessman’s detention and subsequent departure from Nigeria.

According to the late monarch’s account, Obasanjo later met Adenuga at a social event and subsequently invited him to Ota, where he allegedly requested the Globacom chairman’s assistance with the construction of an administrative block at Bells University, founded by Obasanjo.

“Mike agreed, and Cachez Turnkey Projects Ltd handled the project for him,” the statement quoted Oba Adetona as writing.

Ibe said Adenuga later left Nigeria amid what he described as continued harassment by the EFCC but returned after Obasanjo left office.

He further cited Oba Adetona’s account that the construction project at Bells University slowed during Adenuga’s absence and that the university subsequently sought a meeting with the businessman over the continuation of the project.

The Atiku camp said the account raised questions about the relationship between the former president’s public treatment of Adenuga and his alleged private dealings with the businessman.

The latest exchange is part of a long-running political dispute between Obasanjo and Atiku, whose relationship deteriorated significantly during their second term in office.

The two men had been political allies before the 1999 presidential election, when Obasanjo emerged as the PDP presidential candidate and selected Atiku as his running mate.

Their administration won re-election in 2003, but disagreements subsequently emerged over political succession, alleged corruption and Obasanjo’s controversial third-term bid.

Atiku left the PDP and contested the 2007 presidential election on the Action Congress after his relationship with Obasanjo broke down.

The former vice president has remained a major figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics and is currently the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election.

Against that background, Ibe said Obasanjo’s latest allegation should be viewed within the context of a political relationship that has remained deeply contested for more than 20 years.

He accused the former president of repeatedly attempting to damage Atiku’s reputation and said the latest claims would not withstand scrutiny.

Obasanjo has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations contained in Atiku’s statement.

When contacted for reaction, the Special Assistant to former President on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said “No comment.”

Source: punchng.com

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Politics

Osun 2026: Oyinlola-led PDP faction dumps Adeleke, backs APC’s Oyebamiji

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State led by the former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Sunday declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s governorship poll, Bola Oyebamiji.

Oyinlola, speaking at the event held in Osogbo, where Oyebamiji’s ambition to be governor received the faction’s endorsement, stated that his group decided to part ways with the incumbent administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke due to a lack of inclusion in his handling of government affairs.

Oyinlola, joined by a former Secretary to State Government, Mr Fatai Akinbade, former PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, however, declared that they were not dumping the PDP.

He added that the group adopted Oyebamiji’s candidature, having considered the decision necessary and out of conviction and sincere desire for the progress of the state.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders and members of the PDP in the state, Oyinlola described the endorsement of Oyebamiji as a child of necessity, conviction and sincere desire to advance the cause of the state in the interest of all and sundry.

He maintained that the leadership and members of the party remained resolute to vote massively for the emergence of Oyebamiji as part of efforts to rescue the state from the scourge of political nepotism.

“One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state.

“We believed in that project. We mobilised our people for it. We invested time, energy and political capital in it because we believed that it represented the aspirations of our people.

“But unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart, and one of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our dear state.

“We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along.

“The PDP has always been a party built around consultation, participation and collective responsibility.

“These are values that we must continue to uphold,” he said.

Oyinlola, however, insisted that they remained PDP members and would not defect to the APC.

“Let me repeat that our decision today should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the PDP.

“We remain PDP members. We are not here to announce our defection from the PDP. We are not here to renounce our membership of the PDP. Rather, we are exercising our conscience as stakeholders who have served this state and who believe that, at this particular moment, Osun State requires a different direction.

“It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Oyinlola said.

On behalf of the group, Oyinlola urged Oyebamiji to focus on good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and the creation of opportunities for our people.

“You must put the people first and run an inclusive government. You must listen to the people. You must ensure that every part of Osun feels represented in your government,” Oyinlola said.

In their separate remarks, Akinbade and Oladipo called on all members of the PDP in the state to cast their votes overwhelmingly for Oyebamiji.

The duo attributed their decision to pitch their tent with the APC as the best at the moment, not for selfish interest but for the good of the state and her citizens.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed delight in the noble decision taken by the leadership and members of the PDP in the state.

He described ex-Governor Oyinlola as a grassroots politician and national figure whose political antecedents and track records could not be underestimated.

Oyetola called on the people of the state to remain resolute and peaceful, saying “the victory is ours by the grace of God”

Responding, Oyebamiji said the support his ambition had received from different segments of the state would ensure victory for the APC in the governorship election.

“This assignment has been made easy for me. We have been to all the local government areas in Osun State about three times, and I was warmly received on each occasion.

“Our fathers have backed my ambition. Artisans, business operators, teachers, women, men, children and the elderly have all declared their support for my ambition to become governor. Whoever is raising allegations of rigging is expressing fear of defeat that is staring them in the face,” he said.

On the demands made by the Oyinlola group, Oyebamiji expressed his readiness to run an inclusive government if elected governor.

“I thank you for the confidence and trust reposed in me. I will stand by your mandate. I will not disappoint you. I will make you proud, and by the grace of God, we shall collectively advance the cause of our state when I become Osun State governor,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Osun State PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, for his reaction to the development were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile line did not go through, while he had yet to respond to a message sent to him via WhatsApp as of the time of filing this report.