APC UNVEILS SHARAFADEEN ALLI AS OYO 2027 GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE AS ADELABU WAITS FOR FINAL PARTY DECISION

APC UNVEILS SHARAFADEEN ALLI AS OYO 2027 GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE AS ADELABU WAITS FOR FINAL PARTY DECISION

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially presented Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, marking a major political development ahead of preparations for the next electoral cycle in the state.

The party also announced Adesoji Adedeji as the deputy governorship candidate, with both candidates formally unveiled during a gathering held in Ibadan on Thursday attended by top party leaders, stakeholders, executives, and supporters from different parts of Oyo State.

The development comes amid continued uncertainty surrounding the camp of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who remains hopeful as his supporters insist they are still awaiting final confirmation from the national leadership of the party regarding the outcome of the governorship primary process.

Senator Alli emerged as the APC governorship flag bearer after defeating several contenders during the party’s governorship primary election. Among those who participated in the contest were former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, Akeem Agbaje, Oyedele Alao, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other aspirants seeking the party’s ticket.

Speaking shortly after his official unveiling, Alli described his emergence as not just a personal victory but a collective achievement for loyal members of the APC and the broader progressive movement in Oyo State.

According to him, the mandate belongs to every committed party member who remained faithful to the party’s ideals, delegates who participated in the primary election process, women who offered support through prayers, youths who worked tirelessly during the campaigns, and stakeholders who continue to believe in the future of Oyo State.

He stated that his victory reflects unity, perseverance, democracy, and what he described as the enduring strength of the APC in the state.

The APC candidate also used the opportunity to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending the President’s leadership and describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as a national policy direction currently inspiring economic transformation and renewed confidence among Nigerians.

Alli further expressed gratitude to the APC National Working Committee under the leadership of the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as well as the National Monitoring Team, zonal leaders, Oyo State APC leadership, delegates, and security agencies for ensuring a successful conduct of the primary election.

He also extended an olive branch to fellow aspirants who contested alongside him, urging all members of the party to close ranks and work together toward securing victory for APC in the 2027 general elections.

According to him, internal disagreements should not divide party members, stressing that rebuilding Oyo State requires sacrifice, cooperation, unity, and commitment from all stakeholders within the party structure.

Earlier during the event, Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo, appealed to aggrieved members to put aside differences and support the party’s mission of reclaiming political leadership in the state, stating that victory in the coming elections would be beneficial to party members and residents.

Also speaking at the event, APC Deputy National Auditor Olayemi Olugbenga confirmed that the party had officially presented Independent National Electoral Commission nomination documents to Senator Alli and his running mate as part of preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

Several party leaders and influential stakeholders attended the unveiling ceremony, including former lawmakers, women leaders, senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates, and members of the APC State Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues within the camp of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

Reacting to the development, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, stated that his principal and supporters were still waiting for an official pronouncement from the APC national leadership before accepting reports suggesting that a final decision had already been reached.

According to him, only the national leadership of the APC possesses the constitutional authority to officially announce the governorship candidate, arguing that ongoing reports declaring the process concluded remain speculative without formal communication from the party hierarchy.

Awogboro maintained that while internal party processes may be ongoing, no aspirant should be considered the final candidate until proper ratification is completed by the National Working Committee.

He further warned that reconciliation efforts within the party would only succeed if fairness and due process are maintained throughout the process, insisting that any political arrangement perceived as unjust could create deeper divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He added that Adelabu remains calm while awaiting an official statement from the APC national leadership, stressing that nothing has changed regarding their position on the matter.

The latest development signals what could become an intense political contest within Oyo State as preparations gradually begin for the highly anticipated 2027 governorship election.