Florence Ajimobi, widow of the late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and recently appointed Nigerian ambassador, has announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is prepared for an all-out “war” in the 2027 Oyo State governorship election. Speaking at what appears to be a political gathering, Ajimobi vowed to unseat the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde and his People’s Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing the party’s federal support and financial resources.
A video of her speech, which surfaced on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), shows Ajimobi addressing an audience with determination. “We are going to war in 2027. That’s what I tell you, it is going to be a head-on war. PDP must go. Whatever they want to do or try tricks, all powers belong to God but we are going to beg God and fight them,” she stated. She further added, “Whatever they have in the state, we have at the federal level. We have money. We have all the support we need. We are not going to be intimidated by them. Let them get ready for us. We are ready for them.”
Florence Ajimobi, who served as First Lady of Oyo State during her husband’s tenure from 2011 to 2019, has been a prominent figure in APC circles. Her late husband, Abiola Ajimobi, was known for his strong personality and was often referred to as “Constituted Authority” during his governorship. Following his passing in 2020, Florence has remained active in politics, recently being confirmed as Nigeria’s ambassador to Zimbabwe. This declaration comes amid ongoing efforts by Oyo APC leaders, including Senator Teslim Folarin and Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, to unify the party and mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027.
The statement has sparked significant reactions online, with many criticizing it for evoking militaristic language in a democratic process. One X user remarked, “This outburst… is not only troubling but fundamentally at odds with the principles of constitutional democracy. Democracy does not glorify federal might; it derives legitimacy from the will of the people.”
Others recalled challenges during Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, such as unpaid salaries and the protracted crisis at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which was resolved under Makinde’s PDP government. “Oyo hasn’t forgotten how her husband treated dem like beggars & slaves,” posted another user.
However, some supporters echoed her sentiments, viewing it as a rallying cry for APC’s resurgence in the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who won re-election in 2023 with a landslide victory, has not yet publicly responded to Ajimobi’s comments. Makinde’s administration has focused on infrastructure, education, and economic development, positioning Oyo as a PDP stronghold in the Southwest. Political analysts suggest that Ajimobi’s remarks signal an intensifying battle for control of the state, especially as APC seeks to leverage federal influence to challenge PDP’s dominance.
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