As the APC resets ahead of the 2027 general elections, Oyo State represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The 2019 and 2023 defeats under our banner are a sobering reminder that federal influence alone cannot guarantee victory; victories must be engineered from robust grassroots alignment, credible leadership, and tangible policy narratives that resonate with everyday citizens.
1. The Stakes in Oyo State
Oyo, with its sizeable electorate and strategic Southwest political weight, cannot be treated as an afterthought. In 2023, the APC gubernatorial flagbearer — Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin — secured significant support yet fell short against the incumbent governor. This underscores the need for deep introspection on voter expectations, intra-party cohesion, and campaign messaging.
More crucially, national stakeholders must recognize that the APC’s fortunes in Oyo are tied less to federal patronage and more to pragmatic leadership that bridges elite networks and mass mobilization. An APC victory in Oyo will not only bolster our national tally but also reinforce the narrative that APC governance delivers results people can see and feel.
2. Folarin: Experience and Limitations
Senator Folarin’s credentials are impressive on paper: two separate tenures as senator (2003–2011 and 2019–2023), including service as Senate Leader, reflect deep familiarity with federal legislative mechanics and national governance debates. His committee roles, particularly on Business & Rules, Local Content, and others, indicate legislative depth.
However, national leaders should also take lessons from recent outcomes: the APC has struggled to convert elite endorsements and federal linkage into state-level electoral success. This reflects a broader reality — electorates are increasingly issue-driven and youth-oriented, demanding tangible performance rather than patronage. Oyo voters want improvements in security, infrastructure, education, and jobs — areas where political messaging must clearly articulate vision and delivery strategies.
3. Pragmatic Leadership as APC’s Winning Formula
National stakeholders must therefore champion a leadership model in Oyo that is:
Grounded in service delivery, not persona politics;
Able to synthesize elite support with grassroots mobilization;
Committed to a realistic and inspiring vision for governance;
Aligned with the APC’s national narrative yet tailored to local priorities.
If Senator Folarin is to be a central figure, his role must transcend personality politics towards strategic coalition building, inclusive messaging, and measurable governance proposals.
At the state level, APC leaders and members have an immediate imperative: build an inclusive and forward-looking party that is ready not just to contest elections, but to win hearts and minds.
1. Lessons from 2019 and 2023
Despite credible campaigns, the APC lost successive gubernatorial elections to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Oyo APC must ask tough questions: Did our messaging resonate? Did we meaningfully engage communities across the three senatorial districts? Did our campaign address everyday concerns like education, jobs, and security?
Strategic recalibration is non-negotiable. The APC must move beyond elites and insiders, and strengthen its relationship with the youth, women, and rural constituencies — groups whose support can decisively shift outcomes.
2. The Role of Senator Teslim Folarin
Senator Folarin brings strengths that APC stalwarts cannot overlook:
Legislative experience at the national level, including Senate leadership and committee stewardship.
Policy articulation capabilities, demonstrated through gubernatorial campaign proposals such as a declared focus on education reforms and sector summits.
A robust blend of traditional and political networks, given his status within Ibadan’s aristocracy and longstanding political engagement.
But state stakeholders must also confront critiques: Folarin’s political brand is sometimes seen as more elite-centric than people-centric. Winning Oyo requires that he — and those aligned with him — broaden his appeal, deepen grassroots outreach, and demonstrate tangible commitment to the everyday lives of citizens.
3. A Clear Policy Agenda
To win in 2027, APC in Oyo must build a policy agenda that speaks to lived realities:
Revamping education — a state of emergency in education, training teachers, infrastructure upgrades, and ICT integration.
Economic empowerment — job creation, entrepreneurship support, and agricultural value chain development.
Strengthening security and infrastructure — ensuring peace and connectivity across urban and rural areas.
4. Unity, Reconciliation, and Mobilization
APC’s internal cohesion is equally vital. Party leaders must prioritize reconciliation of aggrieved members, harmonization across factions, and robust grassroots structures that can mobilize support when it matters most. Without unity, even the most qualified leaders struggle to win competitive races.
Closing Thoughts
Oyo APC’s path forward lies in pragmatic leadership, strategic vision, and deep engagement with citizens’ aspirations. Senator Teslim Folarin — as an experienced statesman and party flagbearer — can play a pivotal role if the party builds around him a broad, inclusive, and future-focused campaign architecture. APC national and state leaders must collaborate now to translate lessons past into victories future.
