Shina Peller joins Oyo North senatorial race on APM platform

Former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has entered the race for the Oyo North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election, announcing his bid on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement.

Peller, who represented Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa and Kajola Federal Constituency between 2019 and 2023, disclosed his ambition on Thursday through a post on his X account.

The former lawmaker said his decision to return to elective politics was motivated by a desire to bring his experience and capacity to bear on the development of Oyo North.

He described the move as a fresh phase in his public service career.

“I am pleased to formally announce my intention to contest for Senate, representing the people of the Oyo North Senatorial District in the 2027 elections under the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement,” Peller said.

The former lawmaker said his senatorial ambition represented “A New Chapter of Service,” signalling his intention to re-enter the political contest after his previous tenure in the House of Representatives.

Peller’s latest declaration marks another attempt by the politician to represent Oyo North at the National Assembly.

He previously contested the senatorial seat in the 2023 general election after emerging as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the district.

However, his bid was unsuccessful after he lost the APC senatorial primary to the incumbent candidate at the time, Abdulfatai Buhari.

Buhari subsequently secured the APC ticket and went on to win the Oyo North senatorial election.

Peller’s decision to contest the seat under the APM in 2027 therefore sets the stage for another political battle for the Oyo North senatorial mandate.

The businessman-turned-politician served one term in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, where he represented the four local government areas that made up his federal constituency.

His latest declaration is expected to intensify political activities in Oyo North as political parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.