•By KAZEEM OYENIYI
IBADAN — THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed former federal lawmaker, Shina Peller, as its senatorial candidate for Oyo North ahead of the 2027 general elections, in a move that is already reshaping the political dynamics of the state.
The decision was ratified at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan, presided over by top party executives and attended by key allies of Governor Seyi Makinde, who reportedly endorsed Peller’s candidacy.
Peller’s emergence follows months of political realignment after his defection to the PDP in early 2024.
Observers say the move signals a calculated strategy by the ruling party in Oyo State to reclaim the Oyo North senatorial seat from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has maintained a firm grip on the district over successive election cycles.
A native of Iseyin with strong political roots across the Oke-Ogun axis, Peller is expected to leverage his grassroots network and past legislative experience from the 9th National Assembly to consolidate support, particularly among younger voters.
Oyo North, comprising 13 local government areas 10 in the agrarian Oke-Ogun region and three in the commercial hub of Ogbomoso remains one of the state’s most competitive political zones.
Party insiders describe Peller’s candidacy as emblematic of a generational shift.
“This is beyond a ticket; it represents a movement toward inclusive and forward-looking leadership,” a senior PDP official said after the meeting.
The 2027 race is also being viewed as a major test of Governor Makinde’s political influence, popularly dubbed the “Seyi Leekansi” effect. While the APC has traditionally dominated the district, the margin narrowed significantly in the 2023 elections.
Analysts note that Peller’s previous electoral performance as a third-party candidate could prove decisive, now that he is contesting under the PDP’s platform, which controls the state government.
His campaign is expected to focus on “inclusive representation,” with a strong appeal to youth and rural voters. Central to the PDP’s strategy will be securing a sweeping victory across the Oke-Ogun local governments to counterbalance APC’s entrenched support base in Ogbomoso.
Beyond politics, Peller’s profile as a successful entrepreneur is seen as an added advantage, potentially strengthening the party’s campaign resources and outreach.
As political activities intensify across Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, attention now shifts to the APC, which is yet to officially respond but is believed to be strategizing ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
With early alignments already taking shape, the battle for Oyo North in 2027 is poised to be one of the most closely watched contests in the South-West.