APC Ready To Reclaim Oyo In 2027 – Folarin

Former Senate Leader and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, has said the party has learnt valuable lessons from its losses in the 2019 and 2023 elections and is now better positioned to reclaim the state in 2027.

Folarin stated this on Friday after his elevation from Aare Alaasa Olubadan to Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Addressing journalists at the Olubadan Palace, Folarin said the party’s chieftains had set aside their differences and resolved to work cohesively ahead of the next general election.

“The goal is to improve our results. We are working. If you see the people here today, you will see that the people are coming together. We have to pull together and win. We have to. We must love the party,” he said.

The APC lost the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections to the Peoples Democratic Party, but Folarin insisted that internal unity and renewed strategy would give the party an edge in 2027.

The former Senate Leader also confirmed that he recently met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, where discussions centred on regaining control of Oyo State.

“The meeting went very well. We brainstormed on how we could improve our results in Oyo State and I told him that we have the capacity to do that,” Folarin said.

He added that the target was to increase APC’s votes from over 400,000 in the last election to more than 600,000 in 2027.

“We are more experienced now. He understands the strategic nature of politics in Oyo State. We need to keep improving. We will go round and sell our messages again,” he added.

Describing his new traditional title as an opportunity for deeper service, Folarin expressed gratitude to the Olubadan and the people of Ibadan.

“It is always a joyous day when chiefs get promoted or elevated. We have a unique system here that is rancour-free. I am happy, and everyone is happy,” he said.

Folarin maintained that the APC’s sole mission is victory in 2027, stressing that the party now has the discipline, structure, and experience needed to reclaim the state.