A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Fatai Buhari, has expressed confidence in the party’s ability to conduct peaceful, transparent and credible primaries ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Buhari, who currently represents Oyo North Senatorial District in the Senate, made this known during a meeting with the Oyo State APC executive council led by the party chairman, Moses Adeyemo, at the APC secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Monday.
The senator stated that any aspirant unwilling to participate in the primary election lacked the competence required to fly the party’s flag in the governorship poll. According to him, APC’s leadership structure and internal democratic principles were strong enough to guarantee a free and fair process for all aspirants.
Buhari maintained that he remained fully prepared to contest alongside other aspirants, insisting that credible primaries would strengthen the party ahead of the general election. He also described himself as one of the leading contenders among the 10 governorship aspirants screened by the party.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeyemo reaffirmed the party’s commitment to organising transparent and credible direct primaries where consensus arrangements fail. The APC chairman disclosed that the party had already initiated consultations aimed at achieving consensus among aspirants but noted that direct primaries might become necessary in some categories, including the governorship race.
He assured party members and aspirants that fairness and constitutional democracy would guide the process, adding that every contestant would be given equal treatment.
As part of his support for the party, Buhari pledged to provide solar-powered lighting and computer systems for the APC secretariat. He also donated N5 million to the Oyo APC chapter and an additional N2 million to members of the state executive council.
In response, Adeyemo commended Buhari for attracting developmental projects to Oyo North Senatorial District, particularly the Oke-Ogun axis, and appreciated his continued support for the APC.
The gathering attracted Buhari’s supporters and loyalists from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State.
Meanwhile, another APC governorship aspirant and former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, also rejected claims of an existing consensus candidate, urging all aspirants to participate in the primaries.
The position followed reports from a recent stakeholders’ meeting where the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, was reportedly endorsed as a consensus candidate.
Other aspirants, including former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan and Akeem Agbaje, have also thrown their weight behind the conduct of direct primaries.