The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed former federal lawmaker and businessman, Shina Peller, as its senatorial candidate for Oyo North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Ibadan. The meeting, which drew top party executives and key allies of the state government, was presided over by party leaders, with Seyi Makinde reportedly giving final approval to Peller’s emergence.
Political observers have described the move as a calculated strategy by Governor Makinde to wrest control of the Oyo North Senatorial seat from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has maintained dominance in the district for years.
Peller, an indigene of Iseyin with strong political and grassroots influence across the Oke-Ogun axis, is expected to play a central role in the PDP’s renewed push in the region. His previous experience in the 9th National Assembly and his established network are seen as critical assets in mobilising support, particularly among younger voters.
A senior PDP figure at the meeting described the development as more than a routine nomination, noting that it signals a broader shift in the party’s approach to representation in the district.
Oyo North remains one of the most politically competitive zones in the state, comprising 13 local government areas—10 located in the agrarian Oke-Ogun region and three within the commercial hub of Ogbomoso.
The PDP’s strategy is expected to focus on securing a decisive lead in the Oke-Ogun local governments to counter the APC’s traditional strength in Ogbomoso. Peller, who previously contested under a third-party platform in 2023, now enters the race with the backing of the ruling party in the state.
Campaigning on a message of inclusive representation, the PDP candidate is projected to engage the district’s large youth population, combining his legislative experience with his background in business and entrepreneurship.
With the confirmation already generating reactions across Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, the 2027 Oyo North senatorial contest is beginning to take shape. Although the APC has yet to formally respond, party sources indicate that internal consultations are underway to counter the PDP’s latest move.
