APC's Adeyeye confident Tinubu will win South-west in 2027

A former Senator from Osun Central, Olusola Adeyeye, has stated that President Bola Tinubu will not lose the South-west in the 2027 presidential election. He believes that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the region if the party stays united.

Mr Adeyeye, who is the South-west coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, mentioned that the ruling party is focused on strengthening its position in the region ahead of the election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former lawmaker warned that any party underestimating the 2027 election would make a big mistake.

“I make bold: anyone from any party who thinks the next election will be easy for it is suffering self-delusion. We in the APC, we work very hard to win, and I want to assure you that we will win,” he said.

He added, “I also want to assure you. We will win big. I care that we win the South-west, and we’re going to shock everybody.”

Mr Adeyeye expressed confidence that no party could defeat the APC in the South-west if the ruling party remained united.

“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.

The South-west coordinator noted that even if Mr Tinubu were to lose the region, it would not end his presidential ambitions. He pointed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an example of a candidate who won despite losing the South-west in an election.

“In the worst scenario, let us say that Bola Tinubu lost the South-west; I guarantee you he will not. But if he does, have we forgotten that another Yoruba man lost the South-west and became the President?” Mr Adeyeye asked.

“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?”

Mr Adeyeye also believes the APC will win Osun in the 2027 presidential election, despite the party’s recent defeat in the state’s governorship election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the 15 August governorship election.

Mr Adeyeye said Mr Adeleke’s popularity came mainly from his family name, especially the influence of his late father, Isiaka Adeleke, and elder brother, Adedeji Adeleke.

He dismissed claims that former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola’s ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would significantly challenge the APC in the state.

Mr Adeyeye questioned the ADC’s performance in the August governorship election, especially in Ilesa and Osun Central, where Mr Aregbesola has strong political roots.

“How did the ADC perform, even in Ilesa? How did Aregbesola perform in Osun Central, where I come from?” he asked.

“If Aregbesola is the candidate, it’s a different matter.”

Mr Adeyeye acknowledged Mr Aregbesola’s personal political appeal, saying he is still well-liked in the state.

“The truth is he’s still a magnificent person, much loved. If he were a candidate, believe you me, anybody would be hard-pressed to beat him in Osun,” he said.

“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.”

The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are set for 16 January 2027. INEC has published a final list with 18 presidential candidates, including Mr Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the ADC and Peter Obi of the NDC.