National News – The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has rallied behind Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election, a move party insiders say is designed to prevent internal divisions and strengthen electoral chances.
The decision was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 14, 2026, attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, his deputy, and former governors including Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun.
Speaking on Thursday, Damilare Oloyede, a media aide to Adeola, defended the arrangement, arguing that consensus politics would eliminate costly primaries and unify party structures ahead of the polls.
According to him, the APC opted for a single candidate to maintain stability and sustain the current administration’s policies.
He dismissed opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress as weak and fragmented, insisting they lack the grassroots machinery to challenge the APC in Ogun.
“The opposition is not formidable enough to compete effectively,” he claimed.
However, political observers in Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode have expressed mixed reactions.
While some party loyalists praised the move as pragmatic, others warned it could alienate grassroots aspirants and reduce internal democracy.
A local political analyst noted that “consensus can unify, but it can also suppress dissent, which may resurface closer to elections.”
The development raises broader questions about the future of party politics in Nigeria.
Analysts say the APC’s strategy reflects a growing trend where dominant parties prioritize cohesion over competitive primaries, especially in states considered strongholds.
For Adeola, the endorsement positions him as a frontrunner even before formally declaring his candidacy.
It also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” suggesting continuity in governance if the APC retains power.
As 2027 approaches, the real test will be whether the opposition can reorganize and present a credible challenge—or if the APC’s unified front will prove decisive at the ballot box.
