2027: Aiyedatiwa Gets Mission to Strengthen APC in Oyo, Osun
The political battle for the South-West ahead of the 2027 presidential election has taken a fresh turn, with Yoruba Leaders of Thought calling on Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to work with other governors in the region to strengthen the All Progressives Congress, APC, particularly in Oyo and Osun states.
The move came as the group intensified its mobilisation for the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signalling that attention is increasingly shifting towards consolidating the President’s political base across the South-West.
A delegation of the Yoruba Leaders of Thought met Aiyedatiwa in Akure at the weekend to discuss its strategy for the 2027 presidential election and ways of building greater political synergy across the region.
The delegation was led by former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Iyiola Oladokun, and former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Segun Adesegun, on behalf of the group’s national leader and elder statesman, Tajudeen Olusi.
According to a statement by the group’s National Secretary, Bayo Aina, the leaders briefed Aiyedatiwa on efforts being made to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition and sustain what they described as reforms aimed at strengthening the Nigerian economy.
But beyond the endorsement of the President, the group placed particular emphasis on the political situation in Oyo and Osun, urging Aiyedatiwa to collaborate with his fellow governors to strengthen the APC in the two states.
The intervention places a fresh spotlight on the strategic importance of both states as political calculations intensify ahead of 2027.
While the APC controls Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti through sitting governors, Oyo and Osun remain outside the ruling party’s gubernatorial control.
The Yoruba leaders’ intervention therefore suggests that securing a stronger foothold in the two states could form an important part of the wider South-West strategy for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
During the Akure meeting, Aiyedatiwa was also appointed Life Patron of the Yoruba Leaders of Thought in Ondo State.
His induction was performed by Chief Mrs Olajumoke Anifowoshe, daughter of the late former governor of old Ondo State and prominent nationalist, Chief Adekunle Ajasin.
Aiyedatiwa subsequently nominated the Ondo State APC Chairman, Kolawole Babatunde, as his representative within the organisation.
The group said its national leader, Olusi, also exchanged ideas with the governor on measures being taken to promote unity ahead of the general elections.
Aiyedatiwa’s latest role could further strengthen his position in Tinubu’s emerging South-West mobilisation structure.
The Ondo governor has already pledged massive mobilisation for the President’s re-election and has previously declared a target of at least one million votes for Tinubu from Ondo State.
However, the latest assignment potentially takes the political conversation beyond Ondo by placing attention on cooperation among APC governors and stakeholders across the South-West.
As the 2027 election approaches, Oyo and Osun could consequently become crucial battlegrounds in the ruling party’s efforts to consolidate Tinubu’s home region.
The effectiveness of that strategy may depend not only on endorsements by political and socio-cultural leaders but also on the APC’s ability to reconcile internal interests, strengthen grassroots structures and convince voters across the two states.
With political alignments already taking shape nationwide, the Yoruba Leaders of Thought’s intervention indicates that the struggle for the South-West vote is moving from declarations of support to organised political mobilisation.
