APC campaign coordinator Olusola Adeyeye has declared President Bola Tinubu’s dominance in the South-west region for the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing that unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) will ensure victory. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adeyeye, a former Osun Central senator and current South-west coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, dismissed any notion of an easy contest for opposition parties. 'Anyone from any party who thinks the next election will be easy for it is suffering self-delusion,' he stated, vowing that the APC would 'win big' and 'shock everybody.'
Adeyeye underscored that no opposition party could overcome the APC in the South-west if the ruling party maintained cohesion. 'I do not see any party in the present configuration of Nigeria defeating the APC wherever the APC is united in the South-West,' he said. His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the region’s political landscape, where the APC’s influence has historically been pivotal to national elections. The coordinator also referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 1999 presidential bid, noting that Obasanjo secured victory despite losing the South-west in that election. 'Did former President Olusegun Obasanjo not lose his ward, lose his polling booth, lose his state, lose his zone, lose every state in the South-West and yet become President?' he asked, framing Tinubu’s prospects within a broader narrative of Yoruba political resilience.
The APC’s confidence in the South-west is tested by recent developments, including the Accord Party’s victory in the 15 August governorship election in Osun. Governor Ademola Adeleke, backed by the Accord Party, defeated APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji. Adeyeye attributed Adeleke’s win to his family legacy, particularly the influence of his late father, Isiaka Adeleke, and elder brother, Adedeji Adeleke. He also downplayed concerns about former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola’s potential impact, questioning the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) performance in key constituencies like Ilesa and Osun Central. 'If Aregbesola is the candidate, it’s a different matter,' Adeyeye acknowledged, while noting that Aregbesola’s personal appeal remains strong in the state. 'But where he’s not the candidate, even he must not deceive himself that he can automatically take the affection for him to another person,' he added.
Adeyeye’s comments highlight the strategic importance of the South-west in Nigerian politics, where regional alliances and party unity often determine national outcomes. The 2027 presidential election, scheduled for 16 January 2027, will feature 18 candidates, including Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (ADC), and Peter Obi (NDC). The APC’s campaign strategy focuses on consolidating support in the South-west, a region that has historically served as a cornerstone for Yoruba political power. Analysts note that the party’s ability to navigate internal divisions and counter opposition narratives will be critical to its success.
The coordinator’s remarks also reflect broader tensions within Nigeria’s political ecosystem, where historical grievances and factionalism often shape electoral outcomes. Adeyeye’s emphasis on unity aligns with the APC’s broader messaging ahead of the 2027 polls, as the party seeks to counter perceptions of decline following recent state-level setbacks. His comments underscore the high stakes for both the APC and opposition parties, with the South-west’s electoral trajectory potentially determining the next administration. 'We work very hard to win, and I want to assure you that we will win,' he reiterated, framing the 2027 contest as a test of the APC’s resilience and organizational strength.
Public-interest implications of the APC’s South-west strategy extend beyond party politics, as the region’s stability and development are closely tied to national governance. The South-west’s economic and cultural influence, coupled with its historical role in shaping Nigerian leadership, ensures that its electoral outcomes remain a focal point for political analysts and citizens alike. Adeyeye’s confidence in the APC’s prospects signals a strategic focus on leveraging regional cohesion to secure a national mandate.
As the 2027 election cycle intensifies, the APC’s ability to maintain unity and address internal challenges will be scrutinized. With the South-west’s political dynamics at the center of this narrative, Adeyeye’s assertions reflect both the party’s optimism and the precariousness of its position. The coming months will test whether the APC can translate its regional confidence into a broader electoral victory, with the South-west’s fate serving as a critical barometer for the party’s future.