President Tinubu meets Teslim Folarin in Ikoyi ahead of Oyo poll

By Adejayan Gbenga –

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday night held a meeting with Teslim Folarin, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, at his private residence in Ikoyi.

Folarin, who was the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State during the 2023 general election, confirmed the meeting through a post across his official social media platforms.

The meeting comes amid growing speculation over the party’s possible direction ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

There have also been reports that another party leader, Sharafadeen Alli, is being considered as a potential governorship candidate. 

Alli was said to have earlier met with the president as part of ongoing consultations.

Although the details of the president’s meeting with Teslim Folarin were not disclosed, party sources indicated that the engagements may be linked to internal consultations within the APC regarding its political strategy in Oyo State.

Folarin remains a prominent figure within the party, having previously represented Oyo Central Senatorial District in the Senate and contested the governorship election on the APC platform in 2023.