The All Progressives Congress is working towards selecting consensus candidates for the 2027 governorship elections in Lagos State, Ogun State, and Oyo State, following a high-level meeting held in Lagos.
The meeting took place on Sunday night after Bola Tinubu hosted top government officials and party leaders during the Eid celebration.
Discussions later focused on political plans ahead of the 2027 elections, especially in the South-West region.
From the outcome of the meeting, party leaders are considering Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred governorship candidate for Lagos State.
In Ogun State, the focus is on Olamilekan Adeola, while Sharafadeen Alli is being considered for Oyo State.
The gathering included several key figures such as Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and governors including Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Biodun Oyebanji. Other stakeholders were also present.
Sources said the meeting lasted for hours, with detailed talks on how the party would approach candidate selection and secure victory in the region.
The names mentioned were agreed upon after weighing opinions from those present and considering the strength of each aspirant in their state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has already fixed January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between April and May 2026, with candidates expected to emerge before the end of May.
Under the law, parties can choose candidates through consensus or primaries. The APC has often preferred consensus, especially when it believes such candidates can win elections.
Despite the direction taken at the meeting, there are still disagreements within the party.
In Lagos, Tunji Alausa is also interested in the governorship ticket and is said to be pushing for consideration while continuing his duties as minister.
Other names linked to the Lagos race include Gbajabiamila, former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Tayo Ayinde, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Tokunbo Abiru, Jide Adediran, and Samuel Ajose.
In Ogun State, the move to favour Adeola does not fully align with the position of Governor Abiodun, who is said to support Shaibu Afolabi Salisu.
The situation is further complicated by the expected return of former governor Ibikunle Amosun, who may contest for the Ogun Central senatorial seat.
Party leaders are said to be working on ways to manage disagreements and create room for affected aspirants, possibly through political arrangements that would keep the party united ahead of the elections.
