Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, including former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, Senators Abdulfatai Buhari and Yunus Akintunde, Ajimobi’s former deputy Moses Alake-Adeyemo, and former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, attended the 5th Annual Fidau Prayers in honour of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Notably missing at the event was the Minister of Power and 2019 APC governorship candidate, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu. His absence comes amid escalating internal frictions within the Oyo APC, particularly following criticism over a recent visit by party officials to Adelabu’s residence.
During the memorial, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, the late governor’s widow, acknowledged the rising divisions within the party and appealed for unity and reconciliation.
“Politics is about managing people and relationships,” she said. “My husband taught me that. We must learn to forgive, collaborate, and stay united if we truly want to honour his legacy and rebuild our party.”
Her remarks struck a chord with many, especially as internal agitation among APC members intensifies.
The Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), a vocal grassroots group within the party, sharply criticised the visit to Adelabu. In a statement signed by spokesperson Agboola Idris, the group called the visit a “shameless display of opulence,” accusing party leaders of prioritising the display of Adelabu’s newly completed mansion, reportedly worth over ₦4 billion, over genuine reconciliation efforts.
“That visit was not about reconciliation. Instead of flaunting wealth, Adelabu should be apologising for his role in our repeated losses,” the group said.
They blamed Adelabu for the APC’s underwhelming performance in the 2019 and 2023 elections, pointing to his alleged weak grassroots appeal and poor leadership.
“He couldn’t even win his polling unit in both election cycles, yet he keeps blaming Ajimobi. How can someone who once campaigned against President Bola Tinubu now hold a ministerial position within the same party?” they asked.
Also weighing in, Akeem Agbaje, a two-time governorship aspirant and party chieftain, warned against a repeat of what he described as the “costly mistake” of 2023.
Agbaje claimed a particular aspirant was already presenting himself as the “anointed candidate” for the 2027 governorship race, with alleged backing from the APC’s national leadership.
“This kind of arrogance is exactly why we lost in 2023. The party must not allow any form of imposition again,” he said.
He urged the APC to heed the concerns of its members and present a candidate the people can unite behind, rather than one “imposed by Abuja.”
While acknowledging widespread dissatisfaction with the PDP-led administration, Agbaje cautioned that unless the APC addresses its internal issues, it could remain out of power in Oyo State for another decade.
