By Adeyinka Adeniran
In a show of solidarity and determination, a former Senate leader and Amnassador for the Renewed Hope Agenda in Oyo state, Senator Teslim Folarin and other leaders of the party have united for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
The also made a commitment to deliver unprecedented votes in 2027 in Oyo state.
The leadership of the party at the unity rally held at different locations in Ibadan on Monday said the members have put aside their differences to work for the actualization of the re-election bid of Tinubu.
The rally had in attendance, the former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Senators Sharafadeen Alli, Abdulfatai Buhari, Yunus Akintunde, Femi Lanlehin, Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola and Kola Balogun, alongside Alhaji Olayide Abass, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Barrister Akeem Agbaje and other key party stakeholders.
The rally which is in continuation of the 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly was organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Oyo State chapter of the APC, covering the Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
In his remarks, Senator Folarin said the Federal Constituency Tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Folarin said, “Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo State proved its strength in 2023 by giving Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the highest differential votes nationwide. In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr President.”
He noted that the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda, though demanding, was necessary to stabilise the economy and lay a solid foundation for long-term national growth, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
Speaking in the same vein. the former First Lady of Oyo State and Ambassador-designate, Mrs Ajimobi urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for President Tinubu ahead of 2027.
In their remarks, Senators Buhari, Alli and Akintunde described the Federal Constituency Tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
Buhari urged party members and supporters to prioritise voter registration and continuous voter registration (CVR), stressing that early registration, unity, and disciplined mobilisation would be critical to securing victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Chief Adelabu lauded the APC’s open-air meeting and emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation, noting that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling-unit levels rather than last-minute campaigns.
He said, “Our party leaders and members are happy, morale is high, and everyone is motivated to work hard ahead of 2027 to ensure that our President is returned for a second term.
“We are elated and enthusiastic. As you can see, everything has been peaceful, no violence at all. We have been engaging ourselves constructively, talking, singing, and dancing together.
“This is the 13th rally, and the 14th will hold tomorrow. We are hopeful that the entire process will end successfully and on a very peaceful note.
“We are happy with ourselves. Our party is solid again and firmly back on its feet. Today, in Oyo State and across Nigeria, there is no other party that can match us.
“We have strong leaders in Oyo State, lifelong stakeholders with followers who believe in them. That is the beauty of party politics. Politics is a game of interests, so it is natural for people to express their aspirations.
“However, this is being done in a friendly, joyful, and peaceful manner. We are not competing against one another. What we are doing is boosting the morale of party members. It is not yet campaign time, so there is no rivalry.
“This is a healthy display of political interest by party leaders and members alike. We compete among ourselves in unity, we dance together, we sing together. There is no unhealthy competition.
“Our focus is to ensure that the party remains strong and returns to where it once was. We are happy with the progress so far, and the results are encouraging.
“What we are saying is simple: everyone should put personal ambition and aspiration aside for now and put the party first. When the time comes, God Almighty will choose those who will represent us in the various parliaments.”
In his address, the 2027 gubernatorial hopeful, Barrister Akeem Agbaje said the party is more united to go to poll in 2027.
According to him, “There is no crisis in the APC. We are fully united as a party, and we are all standing together in support of Asiwaju for a second term.
“Party members need to understand that Asiwaju is doing his best, and the country is gradually turning the corner. For him to complete the work he has started and consolidate on the progress being made, it is important that he is given a second term in office.”
Also speaking, the Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Pharm. Olayide Abass, alongside Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Engr. Idris Adeoye, former Minister Adebayo Shittu, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Hon. Bolaji Repete, Hon. Akeem Akogun, and other party chieftains, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
