By Vincent Akindele
The appointment of Asiwaju Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe as Director-General of the APC Oyo Gubernatorial Election Campaign Council by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC governorship candidate for Oyo State in 2027, is a decision that speaks to both strategy and principle. For Aderibigbe, it is a double honour, as the appointment coincides with his birthday.
Aderibigbe is a legal practitioner by training, and he brings to the role the discipline, credibility and public trust that are essential for mobilising broad-based support and securing victory for the APC in the 2027 election.
His standing in Oyo politics is rooted in both title and service. As Asiwaju of Ijaiye, a respected Yoruba chieftaincy title, he carries the weight of community leadership. As a Barrister-at-Law and former elected office holder, he also understands the law and the demands of public office. This combination has defined his career and earned him recognition across party lines.
Over the years, Aderibigbe has served Oyo State in several capacities that highlight his commitment to grassroots development.
He was Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area, where his tenure was noted for significant achievements and a clear focus on community welfare. He later served as Special Adviser on Transport to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi and subsequently as Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, a position he later resigned from.
Within the APC, he is regarded as one of the pillars of progressive politics in the state, praised for steadfast loyalty and dedication to the party’s principles.
His experience in electioneering further strengthens his new mandate. He coordinated the Yar’Adua/Jonathan campaign in Oyo State, contested the Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency seat on the platform of Accord in 2015 and the ADC in 2019, and has remained active in party politics since.
In 2025, Senator Alli appointed him Director-General of his campaign council, citing his long-standing record of people-centred leadership and grassroots mobilisation as key reasons for the choice.
Those who have worked with him point to the same qualities. Senator Alli described him as a leader of unwavering dedication and exemplary service, whose visionary leadership and tireless efforts have improved the lives of many.
Beyond office, Aderibigbe is known for being firmly connected to the grassroots, a trait that has kept him relevant in the politics of Oyo State.
Based in Ibadan, he continues to play an active role in APC politics. With this appointment, he now assumes a central responsibility in shaping the party’s message and structure ahead of 2027, carrying with him a reputation built on integrity, honesty and dignity.
Akindele, a media practitioner, lives in Ibadan.
