APC Shrugs Off Obasanjo's Makinde Meeting, Declares No Threat to 2027

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly stated that a private meeting held recently between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and several prominent political figures poses no threat to the party's aspirations for victory in the 2027 general elections. Femi Nuberu, the Publicity Secretary of Ogun APC, conveyed this message during a discussion with LEADERSHIP in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

The meeting in question took place last Sunday, where Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, accompanied by former Ekiti Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi and former Osun Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, visited Obasanjo at his Penthouse residence. This residence is situated within the precinct of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta. While specific details of the private discussions remained undisclosed, it was widely understood that the visit might be connected to the intricate political maneuvering and strategies leading up to the 2027 general election. Sources close to the meeting suggested that discussions could involve the presidency and, specifically for Ogun State, the governorship seat, which Hon. Ladi Adebutu, son of a billionaire lottery mogul and Obasanjo’s friend, Sir Keshington Adebutu, is reportedly contesting for the fourth time.

Despite the high-profile nature of the gathering and the speculation surrounding its purpose, efforts to obtain comments from Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered or unreturned. Meanwhile, Nuberu urged APC supporters throughout Ogun State and across the nation to remain calm and not be alarmed by the meeting. He emphatically declared that the visitation was in no way a threat to the APC’s chances of securing victories at both the state and federal levels.

Nuberu articulated the party's confidence, asserting, "What do we have to do with somebody visiting anybody in the state? The most important thing to note is that the electorates will vote, and given the pedigree of the personalities involved in the said Abeokuta meeting, they are in no way a threat to the chances of APC winning all the elective positions being contested particularly here in Ogun State." He further reminded that even during a period when these individuals were influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was then the ruling party at the center with most of their state governors intact, they were "beaten hands-down." He contrasted this with the current situation where the APC is consolidating on "the gains of democracy," reiterating that the meeting does not pose a threat.

The Ogun APC spokesman underscored the party's strength, proclaiming, "APC is the party to beat." He expressed strong belief in the caliber of candidates the party intends to field for all elective positions, specifically mentioning Senator Adeola Solomon Olamilekan for the governorship position, alongside other popular and tested candidates. Nuberu also highlighted the peaceful and tranquil nature of the APC primaries for consensus candidates, reinforcing the party’s conviction that "all challenges are surmountable." He concluded by affirming the party's increased determination to win the forthcoming elections at all levels, solidifying the stance that the visitation was not a detriment to their electoral prospects in Ogun State and nationally.