When I came in Tinubu said, ‘How is Oyo?’ I said there is no problem. He said, ‘There is a problem ‘

Senator AbdulFatai Buhari has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has made winning Oyo State a major priority for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, while promising to consider key developmental demands from the region.

Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District for the third consecutive term, made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday night, according to TRIBUNE ONLINE.

Recounting his meeting with the President in Abuja, the lawmaker said Tinubu expressed concern about the APC’s political standing in Oyo State and urged him to intensify efforts to secure victory for the party.

“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.

Despite the concerns, Buhari expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the state, maintaining that Oyo North would be instrumental 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.

However, the senator refused to reveal the APC’s specific plans for the forthcoming elections, insisting that the party was making the necessary preparations to emerge victorious.

Buhari also outlined several developmental requests he presented to Tinubu, particularly those relating to education, healthcare, infrastructure and security in Oyo North.

He recalled that when he first contested for the Senate, the district lacked both a Federal Government secondary school and a university, highlighting what he described as longstanding gaps in the provision of essential public institutions.

The senator further disclosed that he appealed to Tinubu to approve the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Igboho. He said the request was made in the presence of Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service.

On security, Buhari said he requested the establishment of a military formation in Oriire Local Government Area following the abduction of children in the community.

According to him, deploying military personnel to the area would help discourage criminal activities and reduce the likelihood of further attacks. He added that Tinubu assured him that the request would receive attention.

Buhari expressed confidence that the President’s promises, combined with the administration’s performance and Tinubu’s political influence, would improve the APC’s chances of winning voters’ support in 2027.

Commenting on the forthcoming governorship election and the political future of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Buhari maintained that the APC had developed its own approach but would not make its plans public.

The senator also challenged the assumption that vote buying automatically translates into electoral victory, arguing that voters could accept money from politicians without necessarily voting for them.

“People will take your money and not vote for you,” he said.

He added that the APC intended to draw attention to Tinubu’s commitments during its campaign as part of its efforts to persuade voters to support the party.

The Oyo North senator also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Senate’s handling of a proposal concerning the return of all former House leaders.

He downplayed the dispute, describing the episode as “just a theatre.”

Buhari suggested that some of the individuals involved lacked a proper understanding of the applicable rules, arguing that the practical outcome of such matters could differ from the way they were presented publicly.

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