A major political twist has emerged ahead of the 2027 Oyo South Senatorial District election as a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Oyo State, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, has openly declared his preference for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Engr. Dr. Aderemi Abas Oseni, over his own party’s candidate, Rt. Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo.
Olopoeyan made the startling declaration while speaking in Yoruba during an exclusive interview with popular broadcaster Peter Olasupo, also known as Captain P2, at his private residence in Ibadan.
Speaking with candour, the Ibadan-based political heavyweight stated that his decision was not driven by party sentiment but by longstanding personal relationship, loyalty and consistent engagement.
According to Olopoeyan, his relationship with the APC candidate predates his acquaintance with the APM candidate, and has been sustained over the years through mutual respect and personal identification.
“Mo ti mo Remi Oseni ki Odidiomo to mo mi,” Olopoeyan said, which translates to, “I knew Remi Oseni long before Odidiomo knew me. He attends my personal events. So, I know him very well.”
He explained that Hon. Oseni has, over the years, consistently maintained contact with him, regularly visiting him, honouring his personal invitations and identifying with him on important family and social occasions beyond the realm of politics.
In contrast, Olopoeyan lamented that since Hon. Odidiomo emerged as the APM senatorial candidate for Oyo South, the serving lawmaker has neither visited him nor deemed it fit to relate with him, noting that there was no meaningful relationship between them even before the senatorial ticket emerged.
“I may support Remi Oseni against Odidiomo,” Olopoeyan declared, stressing that Oseni has consistently demonstrated that he values their relationship by always showing up and standing by him at critical moments.
The APM chieftain, however, drew a clear line between his position on the senatorial contest and his relationship with other candidates of the party. He described the APM governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his own brother, noting that they relate very well and that he has no personal issue with him.
Similarly, Olopoeyan spoke glowingly about the APM candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Ajadi, describing him as a good man who has been consulting widely and carrying stakeholders along at the grassroots. He wished Ajadi well and commended him for his inclusive approach to politics.
Olopoeyan also dismissed insinuations that he is an aggrieved member of the APM, insisting that he remains firmly rooted and relevant within the party’s structure.
“I am not an aggrieved person in the party. The structure is with me, not Governor Makinde,” he declared.
The declaration by Olopoeyan, a known grassroots mobilizer with a formidable political structure across Oyo State, is expected to generate ripples in the political camp of the APM in Oyo South ahead of the 2027 general elections.
