President Bola Tinubu has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders in Oyo State to set aside their differences and collaborate toward reclaiming the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the inaugural Lam Adesina Annual Lecture in Ibadan on Monday, Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity within the APC to ensure the state returns to the progressive fold.
The lecture, held in honor of the late former governor of Oyo State, was themed “Improving Nigeria’s Governance: Lessons from the Past, Strategies for the Future.”
Represented by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, Tinubu reflected on the legacy of the late Lam Adesina, who served as Oyo’s governor from 1999 to 2003.
He described Adesina as a steadfast champion of democracy, whose dedication to good governance and democratic principles earned him a significant place in Nigeria’s history.
Tinubu urged the APC to follow Adesina’s example and unite for the common cause of bringing the state back under progressive leadership.
“Adesina stood for the democratic ideals that ensure power is held by the people through elected representatives. In his honor, the progressives in Oyo must come together. It’s time to fight, and together we must win. By 2027, Oyo State must return to the progressive fold.”
The guest lecturer, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, represented by Shuaib Salisu, also stressed the need for Nigerians to restore a strong value system based on responsibility, integrity, and diligence, contrasting it with the current culture of indiscipline, corruption, and greed.
The event was attended by prominent political figures, including former Ekiti State Governors Adeniyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, former Senate Leader and Oyo APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin, and several other APC leaders and dignitaries from the state.
Lam Adesina, who passed away in 2012, was a key figure in Nigeria’s democratic transition, serving as a member of the House of Representatives and playing a pivotal role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which advocated for the return to civilian rule in the 1990s.
He was also a respected educationist and newspaper columnist.
Tinubu urged Oyo State APC to rally together and honor Adesina’s legacy by winning the 2027 governorship election.
