The political scenario within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a dramatic turn as new conspiracies are emerging regarding the 2027 governorship race.
What initially appeared to be a successful reconciliation process after years of factional warfare is now being threatened by a sophisticated plot aimed at weakening Energy Minister Adebayo Adelabu and reshaping the party's leadership structure.
At the center of this alleged controversy is the Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zac Adedeji.
READ ALSO: Adeleke, Osun LG Don't Borrow N300bn, APC Warns Unity Bank
Highly placed sources in the party alleged that Adedeji is quietly planning a strategic realignment designed to direct the APC governorship ticket.
The alleged plan involves installing Senator Sharafa Alli as the gubernatorial candidate, with Adedeji's younger brother deployed as running mate.
This political maneuver has reportedly shocked the three primary power factions of the party namely the Adelabu structure, the Tesei faction and Ajimobi/Senako loyalists.
Presidency insiders have expressed concern over what they describe as a deliberate demarketing campaign against Adelbu.
The allegations reveal that subtle efforts are being made to question the suitability of the minister for the top post of the state during the high-level talks in Abuja.
According to analysts, this strategy is a classic political ploy aimed at undermining the credibility of the opponent among elite power brokers who will ultimately influence the direction of the party.
The role of the presidency is considered important in this struggle.
Since Oyo lacks a sitting APC governor to enforce internal order, President Bola Tinubu is expected to act as the final arbiter, similar to his intervention in the Osun State APC crisis. As a result, the battle for influence has shifted to the corridors of power in the Federal Capital Territory, where significant resources are reportedly being deployed to tilt the scales in favor of Senator Sharafa Alli.
The complexity of the situation is further deepened by the Ladoja factor. Recent reports suggest that the presidential visit of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, may have been taken advantage of to advocate for Alli's candidacy.
The long-standing political bond between the monarch and the senator, dating back to Alli's time as Secretary to the State Government, remains a powerful force in Ibadan politics.
Also read: 12 representatives not included in APC, ADC
There are also unresolved tensions leading to the 2023 elections, where Adelbu rejected the coalition's offer to step down for Senator Teslam Folarin, continuing the current alignment.
For Oyo APC, the stakes couldn't be higher. Critics of the so-called Adedeji-Ali alliance argue that the party runs the risk of prioritizing political convenience over administrative capacity and electoral feasibility.
As Governor Seyi Makinde prepares his succession plans, a fractured APC faces the grim prospect of another electoral defeat.
The emerging consensus among stakeholders is that the party must move beyond factional agreements and elite bargaining if it hopes to mount a formidable challenge to the Agodi Government House in 2027.
