Oyo 2027: Why I Bowed to Tinubu’s Directive on Senatorial Bid — Remi Oseni

The political landscape of Oyo State witnessed a major tectonic shift on Wednesday as Hon. Remi Oseni, the member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, officially shelved his governorship ambition.

In an elaborate stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan and monitored by Gistlife, the lawmaker revealed that his decision to pivot toward the Senate followed a direct “marching order” from President Bola Tinubu during a private meeting at the President’s Lagos residence.

Addressing a packed hall of APC leaders and loyalists, Oseni recounted how the directive came after months of quiet observation by the Presidency regarding his legislative performance.

“It was the former First Lady, my mother, who first contacted me with the good news that the President had been commending the impactful work we are doing for the people of my constituency,” Oseni said. “Shortly after, I was summoned to a meeting with the President. In his words, he said: ‘Remi, I have heard a lot about you and your ambition, but I want you to go for the Senatorial seat because of the people who are in front of me.’”

The lawmaker admitted that while he was initially “unhappy” with the directive—given the extensive resources and grassroots structures already deployed for the Agodi Government House—he chose to prioritize the President’s wisdom and party cohesion.

Oseni’s withdrawal comes at a time when the race for the APC gubernatorial ticket is reaching a fever pitch. Reports reaching Gistlife indicate that the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has officially resigned his cabinet position to focus entirely on the 2027 governorship race. Adelabu, who recently met with President Tinubu at the Villa, is expected to pick up his nomination form this Saturday as the party opens the sale of forms.

Simultaneously, the incumbent Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has also formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship seat. Alli’s entrance into the race creates a significant vacancy in the Oyo South Senatorial District, which Oseni has now been positioned to fill.

With Oseni now officially eyeing the Oyo South Senatorial seat, the race for the district has become the most watched contest in the state. His entry into the senatorial race effectively prevents a direct collision with Adelabu and Alli for the governorship, while ensuring the APC maintains a heavyweight candidate for the Red Chamber.

“I cannot do this journey alone,” Oseni told the stakeholders. “It is a different path from what we planned, but it is a path of loyalty. I have converged this meeting to seek your total support as we re-align our structures for the Red Chamber.”

Analysts suggest that President Tinubu’s intervention is part of a broader strategy to manage the “crowded” Oyo APC gubernatorial field. By moving a strong performer like Oseni to the Senate, the Presidency appears to be streamlining the governorship race while ensuring the party remains competitive across all legislative districts.

The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a unanimous vote of confidence in Oseni, with party leaders praising his “superior loyalty” and pledging to mobilize across the nine local governments that make up the Oyo South Senatorial District.