By Our Correspondent
National News – Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress are reportedly moving toward adopting consensus candidates for the 2027 governorship elections in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), and Senator Sharafadeen Alli emerging as leading choices.
The development followed a high-level meeting between President Bola Tinubu and party stakeholders in Lagos on Sunday night during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the discussion involved party leaders from the South-West zone, including governors and senior APC figures, who deliberated on strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The gathering reportedly reviewed possible candidates capable of securing victory for the ruling party in the three states.
According to insiders, the meeting considered the popularity, political experience, and grassroots support of the potential candidates before arriving at the recommendation of Hamzat for Lagos, Adeola for Ogun, and Alli for Oyo.
The sources said the decision was reached after lengthy consultations with the President and other stakeholders present.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
The electoral body also announced that political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between April and May 2026 to produce candidates.
Party insiders revealed that although the APC traditionally favours consensus arrangements to reduce internal disputes, consultations are ongoing to ensure that other aspirants are accommodated.
Several politicians are reportedly interested in the Lagos governorship ticket, including key government officials and party leaders.
In Ogun State, Adeola’s potential emergence could clash with the preference of Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is said to support another candidate.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, many party leaders reportedly see Alli as the most acceptable aspirant capable of uniting different factions of the party ahead of the election.
Political analysts, however, have cautioned that consensus arrangements must be genuine to avoid accusations of candidate imposition, warning that internal disagreements could weaken party unity before the polls.
