APC chieftain reveals whom Gov Abiodun wants as APC guber candidate in 2027 before Tinubu chose Yayi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly advancing efforts to adopt a consensus-based approach in selecting its governorship candidates for the 2027 elections across South-West states, with Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, emerging as the preferred candidate for Lagos State.

According to The PUNCH, party stakeholders are also said to favour Senator Olamilekan Adeola for Ogun State and Senator Sharafadeen Alli for Oyo State.

The development followed a high-level meeting held on Sunday night between APC stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.

The engagement came shortly after the President had hosted Vice President Kashim Shettima and several governors for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations at his residence, after which he also held additional discussions with South-West stakeholders focused on election strategy and party direction.

Sources familiar with the meeting disclosed that the discussions centered on candidate selection and broader preparations for the 2027 general elections. They added that the proposed names were arrived at after extensive consultations, taking into account stakeholder opinions, political balance, and the perceived popularity of the aspirants within their respective states.

The meeting was attended by several prominent figures, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, among others. Another source indicated that the recommendations presented to the President were informed by an earlier consultative session held in Abuja about two weeks prior.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are set for February 6, 2027.

In line with the Electoral Act 2026, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between April and May 2026, with candidates emerging by the end of May through either consensus arrangements or direct primaries

Although the Lagos meeting reportedly acknowledged differing opinions among stakeholders regarding the recommendations, participants agreed to pursue a consensus-driven approach aimed at accommodating aspirants who may be affected by the final decisions and ensuring internal party cohesion ahead of the elections.

In Ogun State, however, the reported endorsement of Adeola (Yayi) is said to contrast with the preference of Governor Dapo Abiodun, indicating potential internal disagreements that may still require further reconciliation wihhin the party.

“The governor is backing Senator Shaibu Afolabi Salisu of Ogun Central, due to his role in Abiodun’s 2019 election.

“However, former governor and party leader, Chief Olusegun Osoba, does not support this choice,” an APC chieftain in Ogun said.

It is also understood that former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun is expected to contest for the Ogun Central senatorial seat in 2027, potentially displacing Salisu.