2027: Oyo APC and the Danger of Unhealed Wounds | By Azeez T

As the political tempo begins to rise ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State finds itself at a familiar crossroads. Haunted by the ghosts of 2023 and plagued by unresolved internal disputes, the party risks walking into yet another electoral contest weakened by disunity and disaffection.

The 2023 governorship election in Oyo was a telling moment for the APC. Despite a strong national showing, the party faltered in the state, with incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) securing a comfortable re-election. The APC’s defeat, many insiders argue, was less about the opposition’s strength and more about its own internal chaos, very similar to the 2019 scenario.

Factional struggles, personality clashes, and competing ambitions fractured the party from within. The nomination process was marred by allegations of imposition, and several aggrieved aspirants either defected or worked against the party’s interest. The post-election period offered an opportunity for healing and reflection, but that window, many say, was squandered.

Today, those wounds remain largely unhealed. Key stakeholders continue to operate in silos, while reconciliation efforts have stalled or been half-hearted. The lack of a cohesive front is already raising alarm bells among party loyalists, who fear that history may repeat itself.

Political observers in the state point to a disturbing pattern: a party that only comes together during elections but disintegrates immediately after. Such a model, they warn, is unsustainable in a politically vibrant state like Oyo, where voter sophistication demands more than party labels.

With 2027 on the horizon, the APC in Oyo must make critical choices. The national leadership may need to step in decisively, forgive the political miscalculations of some key stakeholders prior to the 2023 presidential primaries in the state by accommodating more, possibly via appointment, do away with the idea of imposing candidates if any, as well as create a framework for genuine reconciliation. Furthermore, inclusive participation becomes highly imperative as those favoured by the current situation must do more by integrating others in a way that gives all a genuine sense of belonging.

The time for behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and elitist politicking must give way to grassroots engagement and transparent internal democracy.

Beyond personalities, the APC must rebuild trust within its ranks. Youths and women, often used for optics, must be given substantive roles. Loyal party members sidelined in the past must be re-engaged. The party’s message must resonate with the people, not just its power brokers.

A deep reassessment of the political climate of the state vis-à-vis the cause of the wounds must be done in a way that gives room for proper healing as opposed to the usual surface window dressing.

For this party not to remain in opposition again come 2027, especially with a new opposition party on the sidelines, party members must be ready to sacrifice personal egos, forgive one another and bury the growing spirit of vendetta across different groups within the party.

2027 presents a fresh opportunity but also a grave risk. If the APC enters the race bearing the weight of unhealed wounds, it will likely fracture further under the pressure of electoral competition. But if it chooses the path of introspection, reform, and unity, it may yet reclaim its lost ground in Oyo.

The clock is ticking, and the future of the party in Oyo depends on the choices its members make now.