With the 2027 general elections looming, the stage is set for a fierce political duel in Oyo State as the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and a host of other parties prepare to flex their muscles in a keenly awaited bye-election.
The poll, slated for Saturday, 16 August 2025, will fill the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat left vacant following the death of Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi of the APC, who passed away in July 2024 aged 51.
Originally, 19 political parties signalled interest in contesting. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since released a shortlist of just five candidates — without giving any explanation for the drastic cut.
The bye-election will cover all 12 wards of the constituency, spanning areas such as Bodija, Sango, Mokola, Ijokodo, Yemetu, Oke Aare, University of Ibadan, Polytechnic Ibadan, Agbowo, Beere, Oje, Agodi Gate, Ikolaba, Bashorun, Idi Ape, Samonda, Okoro, and Sabo.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, Oyo REC, Dr Adeniran Tella, assured voters that INEC was “fully prepared” and committed to a credible poll. Non-sensitive materials had already arrived, with sensitive materials expected before election day.
The five cleared candidates are:
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Dexter Femi Akin-Alamu (African Democratic Congress, ADC)
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Adewale Haastrup Olatunji (All Progressives Congress, APC)
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Olabisi Olajumoke Odususi (All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA)
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Fola Sunday Oyekunle (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP)
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Hammed Badmus (Zenith Labour Party, ZLP)
Campaigns have hit full swing, with PDP and APC in an all-out ground war.
Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking at Bodija International Market while presenting the PDP flag to his candidate, declared Oyo “PDP territory”, urging residents to make a statement on August 16. “I have no godfather, only you, the people,” he said, vouching for the PDP’s candidate as a proven performer and pledging Abuja representation that “delivers results”.
APC State Chairman, Olayide Abas, countered with an emotional appeal to voters to uphold “progressive representation”, recalling late Akinremi’s “outstanding record”. He described APC candidate Adewale Olatunji as ready to “surpass” Akinremi’s achievements and warned voters against “deceitful political players” pushing opposition figures as successors.
