As the All Progressives Congress (APC) gears up for the 2027 elections, a sharp contrast has emerged in the party’s internal dynamics across three southwest states: a symphony of open endorsements in Lagos, a harmony of consensus in Ogun, and a tense, whispering silence in Oyo.

In Lagos State, a powerful and public endorsement train has thrown its full weight behind Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s consensus candidate. The public cascade began with the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who not only declared his support but confidently told the public, “[it has been sealed that Hamzat will be the Governorship Candidate of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027].” The party’s grassroots leadership is aligned, as all 57 local government and local council development area chairmen were reportedly in attendance at a key endorsement meeting. The Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, publicly followed suit, stating with full confidence, “you can take me for granted because I have confidence in your ability and capacity.” This unified chorus crescendoed on April 27, 2026, when the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, formally endorsed his deputy, describing him as “fit, prepared, and capable of leading the state.” He further emphasized that the decision aligns with a long-term vision, recalling that President Bola Tinubu had spoken of a “16-year journey for Lagos.”

The situation in Ogun State mirrors this unity, albeit through a single, decisive act of consensus. On Monday, April 13, 2026, the party’s leadership in Ogun State formally adopted Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its consensus governorship candidate. This adoption, which effectively forecloses a competitive primary, was announced by Governor Dapo Abiodun at a party congress in Abeokuta and [garnered unanimous support from all three of the state’s former governors—Olusegun Osoba, Ibikunle Amosun, and Gbenga Daniel—as well as other aspirants]. Governor Abiodun framed the decision as a historic move to break the “50-year barrier affecting Ogun West” in the interest of fairness and equity, while the party leadership has urged unity to ensure victory in the general election.

In stark contrast, the Oyo State chapter of the APC is engulfed in internal tension, with no clear leader publicly endorsed. The party is riven by multiple power blocs, including the “Adelabu structure,” the “Tessy faction,” and the “Ajimobi/SENACO loyalists,” leading to a “whispering” atmosphere of private maneuvering and subtle power plays. The political landscape is marked by reports of “fresh intrigues” and a “sophisticated plot” orchestrated by Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman Zach Adedeji to install Senator Sharafa Alli as the candidate. At the same time, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned to pursue his own governorship ambition, and Governor Makinde has been accused of inciting violence against the opposition. Moreover, the resignation of aspirant Saheed Oladele, the party’s close monitoring of an impeachment plot against Governor Seyi Makinde’s allies, and the questionable “consensus” surrounding Florence Ajimobi’s growing influence all point to a party grappling with uncertainty and fractured leadership.