The political landscape of Oyo State took a new turn on Sunday as the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, at his Iyaganku residence in Ibadan.
The private meeting between the two influential political figures—long-time rivals within the Oyo APC—has triggered widespread interpretations, with analysts describing it as a significant step toward reconciliation and strategic alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
An aide to the minister, Otunba Femi Awogboro, who confirmed the visit, characterized the encounter as cordial and symbolic. According to him, Folarin’s presence in Adelabu’s home signaled a thawing of strained relations that had persisted for years.
Awogboro described Folarin as “an elder brother who came to visit his junior,” adding that both leaders used the opportunity to discuss the future of the APC in the state and the need to bury past grievances.
“Their conversation centered on unity, collective responsibility, and rebuilding the party. The goal is clear—returning the APC to power in 2027,” Awogboro disclosed.
The meeting comes on the heels of Folarin’s recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which he reportedly discussed the state of the APC in Oyo and the pathways toward repositioning the party.
Observers say the back-to-back engagements suggest that strategic consultations are already underway as stakeholders begin early preparations for the 2027 race.
Senator Folarin and Chief Adelabu have remained major power blocs within the Oyo APC since 2019, when the latter emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in a succession attempt following the tenure of the late former governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Their rivalry intensified ahead of the 2023 elections. Folarin secured the APC governorship ticket, prompting Adelabu to defect to Accord Party, where he pursued his own gubernatorial ambition.
Adelabu eventually returned to the APC after the elections, but the fissures within the party persisted.
Sunday’s visit is being widely read as a deliberate attempt to mend fences and stabilize the party, especially as the ruling PDP continues to consolidate its influence in the state.
Saka was waste local government