APC Youth group warns against weak candidates in 2027 Southwest elections

A political advocacy group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the party’s national leadership against selecting weak gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The group warned that poor choices in key Southwest states could jeopardize the party’s regional dominance and negatively impact President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid.

In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the Oyo APC Youth League specifically raised concerns about two prominent politicians who previously failed to secure governorship tickets but are reportedly planning to run again in 2027.

The group’s spokesperson, Taorid Olawale, emphasized the need for the party to prioritize candidates with strong public standing in crucial states.

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“We urge the party to prioritise integrity, credibility, and grassroots acceptance in selecting candidates for key states in the Southwest, particularly Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states,” Olawale stated. “In Yorubaland, personal history and public reputation of political aspirants remain critical factors in determining electoral support.”

He explained that voters in the region expect candidates to have a history of honesty, public service, and a genuine connection to the community. Olawale warned that fielding aspirants with questionable records or who face public distrust could damage the ruling party’s credibility and weaken its electoral prospects, especially in Oyo State.

The spokesperson argued that such a misstep could also create obstacles for President Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election campaign.

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Highlighting the political importance of Ibadan, the youth league referenced the counsel of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja. They described him as a respected technocrat and former governor whose opinion holds significant weight.

Olawale noted that the monarch’s extensive experience and deep grassroots ties make his perspective invaluable for guiding the APC in identifying credible candidates for Oyo State.

“In politics, sins are not forgiven; they are merely kept until the right time for reckoning,” he cautioned, suggesting that allowing controversial figures to win party tickets through internal maneuvering could have severe consequences for the APC across the region.

“The stakes are high, and history will not forgive a misstep,” Olawale continued. “In this regard, an opinion poll has truly indicated that the APC as a party may have a deficit of victory in the next governorship election in Oyo state if it fields any of its old candidates.”

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He concluded that the APC risks defeating itself if its leadership ignores public demand for “a young, fresh, virtuous and modest candidate” in the 2027 governorship race. According to the group, the candidate selections in Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos will be decisive in determining whether the APC maintains its stronghold in the Southwest or faces rejection at the polls.