A political advocacy group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the party’s national leadership to tread carefully in selecting its governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections, warning that poor choices could weaken the party’s dominance in the South-West and affect President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in the region.
The Oyo APC Youth League, in a statement released in Abuja on Friday by its spokesman, Taorid Olawale, urged the party to prioritise integrity, credibility, and grassroots support when choosing candidates in key South-West states, particularly Oyo State, Ogun State, and Lagos State.
The group cautioned against giving tickets to certain prominent politicians who had previously failed in their bids for governorship nominations but are reportedly preparing to contest again in 2027. According to Olawale, voters in the South-West pay close attention to the personal history and public image of aspirants, making reputation a decisive factor in electoral success.
He warned that fielding candidates with controversial records or limited public trust could damage the party’s credibility and reduce its chances in states such as Oyo. Such decisions, he added, may also have implications for Tinubu’s anticipated second-term ambition.
The youth league also highlighted the political influence of Ibadan and referenced the counsel of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, describing him as an experienced technocrat and former governor whose voice remains respected among the people.
Olawale stressed that political missteps are rarely forgotten, noting that controversial figures who secure party tickets through internal manoeuvring could create long-term setbacks for the APC in the region. He further cited opinion polls suggesting that presenting any of the party’s former governorship candidates in Oyo could result in electoral defeat.
The group concluded by urging the APC leadership to align its choices with public expectations, especially by considering younger, credible, and widely accepted aspirants, warning that the party’s decisions in Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos will significantly shape its fortunes in the 2027 elections.
