The just-concluded Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election has shifted the political balance in Oyo State, with Folajimi Oyekunle (DoN) of the PDP emerging victorious. INEC’s returning officer, Prof. Abiodun Oluwadare, declared Oyekunle winner with 18,404 votes against APC’s Adewale “Murphy” Olatunji on August 17, 2025. However, this result was more than numbers on a tally sheet, it was quite symbolic. The APC’s candidate not only lost the constituency but also failed in his own polling unit (Ward 10, Unit 27), where he was defeated 6–9 by the PDP. That micro-result captured a broader truth: the APC is losing its local connection, struggling with grassroots mobilisation, and is increasingly weakened by internal fractures.
Now, who is Folajimi “DoN” Oyekunle? Many outsiders have been asking: Who is this “DoN” who dared to do a “Seyi Makinde over a Teslim Folarin” in his own ward? To understand why his victory resonates, one must look at the man behind it. Born in the early 1980s in Ibadan into the family of the late Dr. and Mrs. Dejo Oyekunle, Folajimi Oyekunle grew up with a passion for learning, leadership, and service. He attended primary and secondary school in Oyo State before proceeding to study agriculture at tertiary level. Even as a student, he was not just focused on academics but also active in student leadership and grassroots politics. That early exposure laid the foundation for his political journey.
Beyond politics, Oyekunle became a notable entrepreneur with investments in agriculture, real estate, and entertainment. His role in Ibadan’s cultural and social scene, particularly through his investments in music and event infrastructure, made him a familiar name in social circles.
His transition into public service, however, cemented his reputation. Elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly (Ibadan North Constituency I), he built a profile as a pragmatic lawmaker. His performance attracted Governor Seyi Makinde’s attention, leading to his appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff. In this role, he not only shaped policy and coordinated development programmes but also maintained strong grassroots ties.This combination of youthful energy, entrepreneurial success, and political grounding explains why his candidacy connected with the people of Ibadan North and why his victory carried such force.
So now, what does Oyekunle’s Victory means for APC? For the APC, Oyekunle’s triumph was not just another electoral loss. It was a “sharp warning”. A constituency once considered safe slipped into PDP’s hands largely due to internal rifts, poor strategy, and lack of cohesion. At the heart of APC’s troubles is the unresolved Folarin–Adelabu rivalry. Teslim Folarin, with his deep political structures, remains a force to reckon with. Yet, Bayo Adelabu, who defected to Accord in 2023 and later returned as Minister of Power, is seen as Abuja’s man within Oyo APC. The uneasy balance between these two camps has sown division. Some argue that sidelining Folarin until just 48 hours before the by-election was a costly miscalculation, while others insist Adelabu lacks the grassroots influence to carry the party in 2027. The result is a fractured APC, torn between loyalty and suspicion, which the PDP has capitalised on.
Now, the by-election exposed the depth of APC’s structural weaknesses. The first crack appeared during the primaries. Multiple aspirants openly rejected the party’s choice of candidate, accusing the leadership of imposition. Some warned, months before the polls, that APC would lose Ibadan North if the practice continued. Others even went as far as proposing their own consensus candidate in defiance of party directives. Though Adelabu reportedly met with aggrieved aspirants in Ibadan in a last-minute reconciliation attempt, the resentment had already seeped into the grassroots.
Federal and party appointments deepened these divisions.
Even more, many postings, including into agencies such as the Federal Character Commission, were perceived as skewed in favour of one camp. Instead of fostering inclusiveness, appointments became tools of exclusion. This alienated sections of the party and further fractured its unity.
Perhaps the most glaring evidence of APC’s weakness was the poor local connection of its candidate. His failure to win even his polling unit reflected a lack of grassroots persuasion and mobilisation.
Again, on the election day, APC leaders lamented low voter turnout, while the PDP praised the peaceful process an important contrast that highlighted who managed the ground game better. Beyond structural issues, the party’s public image suffered severely. The campaign flag-off was delayed, and when it eventually happened, it was poorly timed, coinciding with the burial of the late Olubadan, which angered many residents.
Emergency reconciliation meetings, public bickering, and last-minute mobilisation all painted the picture of a disorganised party in crisis. For undecided voters, particularly urban professionals and students, these optics projected incompetence and unreliability. Above all, the APC has struggled with leadership since the passing of Senator Abiola Ajimobi. No figure has emerged with the authority to dictate direction, mediate between warring factions, or rally the party under a united vision. The state chairman has not been able to command loyalty or restore order. Without a central leader to anchor its politics, APC in Oyo has drifted, caught in the crosswinds of factional power struggles.
Now, what APC Must Do Before 2027? If APC hopes to reclaim Oyo in 2027, it must undergo serious internal reform. The culture of imposition must end. Open and transparent primaries should replace backroom selections, with processes such as ward-level registers, neutral observers, and live collation to restore credibility. Where consensus is adopted, it must be voluntary and properly documented, not coerced.
The party must also resolve the Folarin–Adelabu conflict in a structured and visible way. Any attempt at half-hearted reconciliation will only prolong the distrust. Power-sharing must be clearly defined in campaign structures, responsibilities, and appearances to prevent silent sabotage.
Appointments should no longer be used as weapons of division.
Also, fair micro-zoning across Oyo State is essential, with public disclosure of allocations to prove balance. This would assure different camps that no one group is hoarding influence. Equally important is the ground game. The party must reconnect with communities through targeted, issue-based campaigns, not just last-minute rallies. Running voter simulations, engaging with professionals, students, and traders, and building local trust are critical steps.
In terms of messaging, the APC cannot continue to rely on insults and generalised promises. It must offer costed, practical alternatives to PDP governance while showcasing federal deliverables in Oyo as evidence of relevance. Finally, discipline in planning is vital. Rather than chaotic, late starts, the party needs an organised calendar that sets clear timelines for reconciliation, rebuilding, candidate selection, and mobilisation over the next 18 months.
Meanwhile for PDP, this victory is more than just a win. Ibadan North is a symbolic constituency, home to the University of Ibadan, Bodija, Agbowo, and other urban communities that shape statewide political narratives. Capturing it gives the PDP not only momentum but also credibility as the more organised party heading into 2027. With Oyekunle’s youthful appeal and Governor Makinde’s incumbency influence, the PDP is steadily consolidating territories once assumed to belong to the APC.
Finally, Oyekunle’s victory in Ibadan North represents more than personal success. It identifies a political climate where performance, accessibility, and unity are valued over imposition and old loyalties. For the PDP, the victory is a launchpad to greater gains. For the APC, it is a sharp reminder that without ending imposition, reconciling its factions, and rebuilding grassroots connections, the party risks suffering even deeper and dirtier losses in 2027. Maybe the lesson is clear, in today’s politics, a united and grounded party will always outmatch a divided and imposed one.
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