Oyo APC Governorship Hopeful, Teslim Folarin Meets President Tinubu In Lagos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday night hosted Senator Teslim Folarin, a leading All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Oyo State, at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The closed-door meeting comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Folarin widely seen as a top contender for the Oyo governorship ticket.

Folarin, who served as senator representing Oyo Central between 2003 and 2011, and again from 2019 to 2023, was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election. He lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

NaijaChoice News gathered that the discussion focused on the state of the APC in Oyo and strategies to strengthen the party’s structures. Folarin has been vocal about reclaiming Oyo for the APC in 2027, describing the task as no longer in doubt due to growing unity within the party.

The senator recently led several Renewed Hope Ambassadors rallies across Oyo, mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid. He has consistently urged party members to place unity above personal ambitions.

Sources close to the meeting described it as cordial, though details of specific discussions were not made public. Folarin is among several Oyo APC figures who have visited the President in recent months, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli, another prominent governorship hopeful.

The APC in Oyo has repeatedly denied reports of a consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race. Party leaders insist no decision has been taken, even as names like Folarin, Alli, and Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu continue to feature prominently in speculations.

Folarin, a political scientist trained at the University of Ibadan, holds the traditional title of Aare Alaasa Olubadan. His political journey spans over two decades, marked by cross-party experience and legislative leadership roles, including Senate Majority Leader.

Political observers in Oyo believe the Tinubu-Folarin meeting signals continued engagement between the presidency and key South-West stakeholders. It also underscores the APC’s determination to challenge the PDP’s hold on the state after years in opposition.

As the countdown to 2027 begins, stakeholders expect more strategic alignments within the APC to consolidate support for both the presidential and gubernatorial races.