As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State prepares for the 2027 gubernatorial election, it is crucial that the party leadership makes a strategic decision that prioritizes electability, party cohesion, and a return to Agodi Government House. The stakes are too high for another miscalculation, and any attempt to impose a candidate without broad-based acceptance could once again jeopardize the party’s chances at the polls.

Recent political developments have fueled speculation that certain elements within the APC leadership are pushing for the imposition of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. Such a move would be a grave misstep, considering his track record of electoral failures, low acceptability among the electorate, and inability to unite the party’s diverse factions. If the APC is serious about reclaiming power in 2027, it must embrace a transparent and inclusive internal democratic process rather than repeating past mistakes.

Adelabu’s history in Oyo State politics does not inspire confidence. Since his foray into electoral contests, he has never won a single election in the state, despite enjoying significant backing at different points. In 2019, he was imposed as the APC gubernatorial candidate, yet he failed to secure victory against the opposition. Instead of demonstrating party loyalty and working towards reconciliation, he defected to the Accord Party in 2023 to contest for the same position and was once again soundly defeated. These outcomes are a clear indication of his lack of electoral value and widespread rejection by the Oyo electorate.

Beyond his poor electoral record, Adelabu has demonstrated an inability to unite the various factions within the APC. The party remains a coalition of diverse interests, and any candidate who seeks to lead it to victory must be capable of fostering unity rather than deepening divisions. Adelabu’s political maneuverings have, on multiple occasions, alienated core party stakeholders, making it clear that he lacks the strategic capacity to rally the APC toward a collective victory in 2027.

Moreover, his approach to internal party processes raises concerns. He has consistently positioned himself as a beneficiary of imposition rather than a product of a credible, democratic selection process. A party that prides itself on progressivism cannot afford to disregard the fundamental principle of internal democracy. The APC must allow a level playing field where aspirants can contest openly, and a candidate with genuine popularity and broad acceptability emerges through due process. Anything short of this will spell disaster for the party’s chances.

If the APC leadership insists on imposing Adelabu as the party’s flagbearer, it risks a repeat of the 2019 and 2023 outcomes—another landslide victory for the opposition. Oyo voters have shown a strong aversion to candidates who are forced upon them, and any attempt to subvert the will of the party’s members will only deepen discontent and fragmentation within the party.

For the APC to return to Agodi Government House in 2027, it must put forward a candidate who commands the respect of party members and enjoys broad-based support among the electorate. The only way to achieve this is by allowing an open, transparent, and competitive process where the best candidate emerges. The party’s leadership at the national and state levels must resist any temptation to impose a candidate and instead uphold the principles of fairness, merit, and internal democracy.

The future of the APC in Oyo State depends on this critical decision. If the party is truly committed to reclaiming power, it must place the collective interest above personal ambitions and ensure that 2027 is a contest fought—and won—on the strength of credibility, acceptability, and electoral value and Adebayo Adelabu PENKELE, quite clearly, lacks all three.