Oyo APC Rebuilds with Strategic Federal Appointments: The Rise of the Ogbomoso Factor and Teslim Folarin’s Fading Influence-By Femi Ajiboye

The political terrain of Oyo APC is undergoing a transformation as key federal appointments by President Bola Tinubu are reshaping the party’s internal dynamics. These strategic placements of influential figures from Oyo State are positioning the party for the 2027 elections, with a notable emphasis on the growing strength of the Ogbomoso bloc.

Recent appointments of prominent Oyo indigenes have reinforced the factional rebuilding of the party. Idris Ajimobi, son of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, was appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Livestock Development. This strategic move acknowledges the enduring political clout of the Ajimobi dynasty, ensuring that the late governor’s family remains a significant player in the state’s political chessboard. Rauf Olaniyan, former Deputy Governor of Oyo, was also given a significant role as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, underscoring the federal government’s recognition of former state executives in key decision-making roles.

Furthermore,Chief Adebayo Shittu, a former Minister of Communications, was appointed as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Abakaliki, further entrenching Oyo’s influence at the national level. Shittu’s return to relevance within national politics highlights how President Tinubu is using federal appointments to strengthen Oyo APC’s leadership.

However, the most significant shift in the political dynamics is the rise of the Ogbomoso bloc. Two of the state’s most prominent figures,Dr. Zaccheus Adedeji and Chief Sunday Dare, both from Ogbomoso, now occupy strategic positions within Tinubu’s administration. Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), brings both technocratic expertise and political clout. His background as a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo and his close ties to Tinubu signal a rising influence for Ogbomoso, not just in Oyo politics but at the national level. Similarly, Sunday Dare, recently appointed Special Adviser on Public Communications to President Tinubu, remains a key political figure with deep connections in both the media and government.

The Ogbomoso factor is becoming increasingly central to the future of Oyo APC. The appointments of Adedeji and Dare elevate the region’s influence within the state and the party, potentially positioning Ogbomoso as a key battleground for 2027. These roles will not only empower the region but also give it a major stake in shaping policy and political strategy within the APC.

At the same time, this wave of appointments signals a decline in the influence of the Teslim Folarin faction. Folarin, who was the APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, has not secured any significant federal appointments for his camp, which points to his diminishing influence within the party’s structure. His camp’s inability to secure key positions highlights the ascendancy of other factions, particularly those loyal to the Ajimobi dynasty and the Ogbomoso bloc.

As the party rebuilds, Oyo APC is clearly leaning on these two power centers, leaving the Folarin faction sidelined. This could pose a challenge for Folarin’s political ambitions as the 2027 elections draw near. Without federal backing and with his rivals in positions of influence, Folarin’s faction risks being overshadowed in Oyo APC’s new political landscape.

The rebuilding of Oyo APC through strategic federal appointments is rapidly changing the party’s power dynamics. With Ogbomoso gaining prominence and the Ajimobi political dynasty still influential, the stage is being set for a power struggle within the party ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race. Meanwhile, Teslim Folarin’s declining influence could reshape the internal alliances and strategies as the party looks to the future. The rise of the Ogbomoso factor is a clear signal that Oyo APC is evolving, and the political landscape may look very different by the time the next election cycle rolls around.