2027: What Tinubu told me about Oyo during Abuja meeting – Senator Buhari

Senator AbdulFatai Buhari has revealed details of his meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, saying the President told him that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must win Oyo State in the 2027 elections and pledged to address key demands from the region.

Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District for a third consecutive term, disclosed this during an appearance on Arise Television monitored by TRIBUNE ONLINE on Monday night.

He said Tinubu had stressed the importance of winning Oyo State and asked him about the party’s electoral prospects during the meeting.

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“The President (Tinubu) said, ‘Look, we must win Oyo State. Go and do whatever you are doing.’ When I came in, the first thing he asked me was, ‘Fatai, how is Oyo?’ I said there is no problem. He said, ‘There is a problem. Don’t tell me there is no problem,’” Buhari recounted.

The senator expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the state, arguing that Oyo North would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 governorship election.

“Since 1999, Oyo North determines who wins in Oyo State. Ibadan has the highest number of votes, truly, but they also have the highest number of candidates who split the votes,” he said.

Buhari, however, declined to disclose the party’s strategy for the elections, saying the APC was working towards securing victory in the state.

Speaking about the demands he presented to Tinubu, the senator said he sought federal projects and infrastructure to address longstanding needs in Oyo North, particularly in education, healthcare and security.

He recalled that when he first contested for the Senate, the area lacked a Federal Government secondary school and a university.

Buhari also said he raised the need for a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Igboho with Tinubu in the presence of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.

“In Oyo, we don’t have a Federal Medical Centre. We need one in Igboho. If you can sign it, we are fine,” he quoted himself as telling the President.

The lawmaker further disclosed that he requested a military formation in Oriire Local Government Area following the abduction of children in the area.

He argued that a military presence would help deter criminals and prevent further attacks, adding that Tinubu had assured him that the request would be addressed.

Buhari said the commitments, alongside the administration’s performance and the President’s political standing, would strengthen the APC’s appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

“In politics, we have what we call scorecard. When you have that and personality, people will vote for you. Because he promised to give us both, it’s a done deal,” he said.

On the governorship election and Governor Seyi Makinde’s political prospects, Buhari said the APC had its own strategy but would not disclose its plans publicly.

He also argued that vote buying did not guarantee electoral support, noting that voters could collect money from politicians without voting for them.

“People will take your money and not vote for you,” he said, adding that the APC intended to highlight Tinubu’s promises during its campaign to win voters’ support.

The senator also dismissed the controversy surrounding the Senate’s handling of the proposal to return all former House leaders, describing the episode as “just a theatre”.

He argued that some of those involved did not understand the relevant rules, adding that such matters could play out differently in practice.