Between Transactional and Transformational Candidates: The Future of Oyo APC | Ayomide Babalola
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making all moves to have a stable one house ahead of the 2027 general election, aiming to take over government from the ruling PDP of Engr. Seyi Makinde, who may become the first governor in the political history of the state to produce a successor. But APC’s internal fire is yet to be quenched for one reason or the other.
If the fire remains unquenched as the party moves towards its congresses, party members are generally concerned about the possible outcomes and its mpact on the party’s electoral chances in 2027.
From the party stakeholders to the intending executive members at all levels, and to the delegates with general members, the message has been sounding clear and alarming: the party, at this time, needs a transformational candidate to pick the gubernatorial ticket. Someone who will see to the development of the state beyond entitlement and uplift the welfare system of its members. To them, making party faithful and stalwarts transactional agents during political seasons is highly embarrassing and insensitive.
APC is battling with inordinate ambitions of some political actors since its ousting out of power in 2019 due to the partitioning of the party by the gubernatorial choice of the late Archipelago and Koseleri of Oyo State, Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi. The breakaway of some members in 2023 also dealt seriously with the party’s strong bases and holds across the state. Sadly, majority of those who bow out of the party with the incumbent Minister of Power from Oyo State, Oloye Bayo Adelabu, were unable to make it back to the party due to one reason or the other known to them. Technically, it is a setback for the Minister for taking soldiers to war and pompously returning without the soldiers. Tactically, he lost the battles and was badly defeated in the war. In the ethical rules of military engagement, such a person or say War Captain might be demoted for ineffectiveness to service.
But politics is of different dynamic rules. You can never say never. However, Oyo APC must at this point say never to unproductive politics and to the recycling and repeating of failing and defeated aspirants who have consistently failed in the gubernatorial contest due to obvious lack of acceptability and a high level of entitlement syndrome. The party must rise above personal ambitions and entitlement culture to embrace competence, innovation, and grassroots connection. APC should understand the art of PDP’s Seyi Makinde politics. Makinde is tricky and tactical. He has many shocking cards at hand. He has shown one with former lawmaker, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, chairing the 50th Anniversary of the Pacesetter State. He has previously hijacked the very active and articulate Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi. He is equally preparing to hijack unfairly treated aspirants from APC.
What is the way forward? The projection of transformational candidates across all levels — not those interested in a transactional mindset of using members and becoming an unbending cabal upon assuming office. Oyo APC must reawaken its internal unity, discipline, and ideological direction if it truly aims to return to power in 2027.
Ayomide Babalola is a resident of Oyo State, and writes from Ibadan.
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