2027: Makinde’s anointed candidate will be unbeatable — Akinade Fijabi

By Adejayan Gbenga –

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Ismail Akinade Fijabi, has said that Governor Seyi Makinde’s preferred candidate will be unbeatable, regardless of party affiliation or candidate strength.

Fijabi made the remark during a radio interview on Political Circuit, a popular current affairs programme anchored by Abolade Salami on Fresh 105.9 FM, Ibadan, on Sunday.

While commending Makinde’s development strides, Fijabi attributed the internal crises and lingering disunity within Oyo APC as the reason for the party’s perceived inability to present a strong front ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

“As things stand today, it will be almost impossible for anyone to defeat Governor Makinde’s anointed candidate. Even if he anoints a dog, Oyo APC is in shreds. Those who left the party and came back should be asked to go and queue up again,” Fijabi said.

Citing the alleged marginalisation of the party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, Fijabi accused President Bola Tinubu and key APC stakeholders of sidelining loyal party members.

“Teslim Folarin is being unjustly treated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC. He was our flagbearer, yet he has not been given any role or recognition. Meanwhile, those who worked against the party were rewarded,” he added.

“They go around holding clandestine meetings and claim they are moving the party forward. It’s all a joke. Without people like myself, Senator Folarin, my son Hon. Saheed Fijabi, and others, those meetings mean nothing,” he declared.

On the potential lineup of APC aspirants for 2027, the elder statesman mentioned notable names such as Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Senator Sharafadeen Alli; Honourable Remi Oseni; and his son, Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi, as strong contenders.