The National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Boxing Board (NBB) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Hon. Taofik Babatunde Arowolo, has expressed confidence that whoever emerges as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election will enjoy the support of party leaders, stakeholders and members across the state.
Arowolo, in an interview with Business Hallmark in Ibadan, said the renewed unity within the party has strengthened its resolve to reclaim Oyo State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next election.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has helped foster greater cohesion among members of the party, with the collective focus now on winning the 2027 governorship election and regaining control of the state.
He said all indications show that party leaders and stakeholders have resolved not to allow the issue of who secures the party’s governorship ticket to create divisions capable of undermining the party’s chances at the polls.
Arowolo noted that the APC in Oyo State has overcome the internal divisions that previously weakened the party.
“Unlike before when the party was fragmented and leaders and their supporters were going in different directions, there is now a good rapport among them. They are all working together,” he said.
“That is why today when you see Senator Teslim Folarin, you also see Chief Adebayo Adelabu and other leaders with him. I can boldly say that all the leaders and stakeholders in the Oyo APC are now united.”
Arowolo, who is a close political associate of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, also defended his mentor against criticism over the challenges facing the power sector.
According to him, Adelabu is a peace-loving leader who has initiated several reforms aimed at improving the sector, though the impact may take time to become fully evident.
“Adelabu is a peace-loving person who has put in a lot of effort to ensure that operations in the power sector run smoothly. He has initiated several reforms that are expected to yield results in the long run,” he said.
“However, because Nigerians are impatient, many people believe things are not working.”
Arowolo added that once the reforms begin to produce tangible results, Nigerians would eventually appreciate the efforts being made.
He also suggested that acts of sabotage could be contributing to the difficulties encountered in the sector.
“Despite all Adelabu’s efforts, the activities of saboteurs cannot be ruled out. Some people are engaging in actions aimed at undermining his work, but I am confident that Nigerians will soon see the positive impact of his efforts in the power sector,” he said.
On the issue of security, Arowolo called on President Tinubu to take stronger action against individuals allegedly sponsoring insurgency and other security threats in the country.
He said it had become increasingly clear that certain powerful individuals were frustrating efforts to restore peace and stability.
“It has now reached a stage where President Bola Tinubu needs to apply the full weight of his authority to deal with those responsible,” he said.
“It is glaring that some powerful people, especially in the northern part of Nigeria, are not ready to allow his efforts to ensure adequate security to succeed.”
Arowolo supported calls for the exposure and prosecution of individuals allegedly backing insurgency and other forms of violence across the country.
“I support the move that the names of these powerful Nigerians who are backing insurgency and threatening the security of the nation should be exposed and decisively dealt with,” he said.
“When this is done, those who may be tempted to follow in their footsteps will think twice, and this will help restore sanity and peace in the country.”
Speaking on youth-related crime, Arowolo emphasised the importance of sports as a tool for engaging young people and steering them away from criminal activities.
Drawing from his experience as Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Boxing Board, he advocated greater investment in sporting activities at the local, state and national levels.
“I strongly believe it is time to engage our youths in various sporting activities such as boxing, athletics, cycling, football and basketball in order to keep them away from crime and trouble,” he said.
According to him, promoting sports development could also help identify and nurture talented young people who might otherwise remain idle on the streets.
“If we do this, we will discover talented youths among those roaming the streets without jobs and those causing trouble as area boys or street urchins,” he said.
“With such initiatives, many young men will be redirected from crime and other shady activities into productive ventures.”