2027: Oyo APC Disowns Guber Candidate Report

…As Party describes report as false, insists on due process and adherence to electoral guidelines

…Calls claims premature, says no letters of intent received from aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has dismissed recent media reports claiming that the party has already selected its gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 general election, describing such publications as speculative, false, and unnecessary.

Recall that some national and online media outlets had reported on Tuesday that certain individuals had been handpicked as consensus gubernatorial candidates for the APC in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States.

However, the reports failed to provide specific details about the individuals involved or the basis for their alleged selection.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC called for calm among its members and supporters, assuring them that due process would be followed at the appropriate time.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we have no knowledge of any individual’s ambition regarding the 2027 elections.

The party has not commenced the process of receiving letters of intent from aspirants, as it is not yet time to do so. As a law-abiding political party, we strictly adhere to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and our party’s constitution,” the statement read.

The party emphasized its commitment to democratic principles, noting that it would not take any premature actions capable of undermining the electoral process.

“We urge our members and the general public to disregard the publication in its entirety, as it did not originate from us.

The report is purely the creation of its authors.

We remain guided by the timetable and regulations issued by INEC for the 2027 elections.

Our immediate focus is the successful completion of the party’s congresses ahead of the National Convention scheduled to hold this weekend in Abuja,” the statement added.

The APC further clarified that, at present, the only decision taken by the party is the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate.

“Beyond this, all qualified and interested members of the party will be given a fair and equal opportunity to contest for various positions in the 2027 elections.

We assure Nigerians that our eventual candidates will be individuals capable of serving the public interest and delivering on their mandates,” the statement concluded.