A two-term governorship aspirant and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Akeem Agbaje, has vowed that party members will resist any attempt to impose a governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in Ibadan during an interview with journalists on Monday, Agbaje warned that the mistakes of the 2023 elections—where the APC lost its chance to reclaim power from the Peoples Democratic Party —must not be repeated.
A united APC will resist the imposition of a governorship candidate on the party in this state.
We have learnt of a particular candidate moving around the state, telling people who care to listen that the leadership of the party in Abuja has endorsed him as the party flagbearer in Oyo in 2027,” Agbaje asserted.
He described such claims as dangerous for party unity, urging aspirants to follow due process: “Do what others are doing. Don’t wait to be imposed or don’t wait to buy the ticket. Do what others are doing. And we are making that case at the national level.”
Agbaje expressed concern that the said aspirant “has never identified with the people at the grassroots,” warning that the APC could suffer another defeat if it proceeds with the rumoured endorsement.
He further said, “My philosophy is that the party is supreme and we must work together for the success of the party. But history has taught us that the party too must do the needful by picking a candidate that is largely acceptable to the community.
The people of this state are tired of the PDP-led administration, but it is now left for the APC to get its act right.”
Despite his critique of the PDP, Agbaje commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s handling of security in the state.
Let me commend him (Makinde) on the issue of security. As far as I’m concerned, he is doing very well on the issue of security, because apart from the normal localised crimes, we don’t have any major crimes in the state,” he stated.
On the issue of recurring fire incidents in markets across the state, Agbaje called for structural reforms and expansion.
All the markets are filled up. Every market in the state is filled up. That’s why they have fire incidents. There is a need for expansion, proper expansion.
When they started those markets, especially Aleshinloye and others, people didn’t want to go. Now the markets are congested. Gate is congested, both old and new Gbagi are congested.
The government should create an enabling environment that allows people to do their businesses. There is need to extend those markets,” he advised.
