Federal Might Will Fail in 2027 – Oyo PDP Chairman, Ogungbenro

Dayo Ogungbenro, the Oyo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has emphatically stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be able to rely on "federal might" to capture the state in the 2027 general elections. Speaking in a recent interview, Ogungbenro addressed threats and speculations regarding the opposition's plans to use central government power to sway the polls, asserting that such tactics would fail against the will of the people. He maintained that the electorate is sophisticated enough to reject intimidation and vote based on performance and tangible results.

Ogungbenro responded to recent controversial statements, including alleged threats of "war" attributed to opposition figures, by emphasizing that politics should be a contest of ideas, not violence. He argued that the era of rigging and manipulating results through federal institutions is fading, and the people of Oyo State are prepared to defend their mandate. The Chairman highlighted that the PDP defeated the APC by a margin of 370,000 votes in the last election and expressed optimism about increasing that margin in 2027. He cited the governance track record of Governor Seyi Makinde as the primary reason for this confidence, noting that the administration has consistently delivered dividends of democracy to civil servants, pensioners, and market women.

The Chairman also addressed the internal crisis within the PDP at the national level, alleging that the Federal Government is fueling the discord to weaken the opposition. However, he remained optimistic that the party would resolve its issues and present a united front. Ogungbenro criticized the current APC-led federal administration, describing it as "clueless" and failing in its primary responsibility of securing lives and property. He urged Nigerians to look at the current state of the nation and vote the APC out in the coming elections.

Regarding the succession plan for Governor Makinde, Ogungbenro quoted political scientist J.B. Dudley, stating that "only a fool will be insensitive to the nature of his successor." He assured the public that while the Governor is interested in who succeeds him to ensure continuity and the preservation of his legacy, the ultimate choice will rest with the people of Oyo State. He dismissed rumors of a specific candidate being imposed, stating that the successor could come from any part of the state and would be revealed at the appropriate time.