 in Oyo State has endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 elections following a high-level leadership meeting in Ibadan, signaling party unity and strategic alignment.){kind=link}
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has formally endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election, marking a significant move aimed at strengthening internal cohesion and consolidating the party’s electoral strategy.
The decision was reached on Friday during a high-level stakeholders’ summit held in Samonda, Ibadan, where top party leaders and representatives from across the state gathered to harmonize positions ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at the meeting, Senator Ayo Adeseun said the gathering was convened to affirm Alli’s candidacy and ensure broad-based agreement among party stakeholders. He noted that the decision followed extensive consultations within the party hierarchy and was further reinforced by the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose influence as national leader of the APC remains pivotal.
Adeseun disclosed that he had previously met the President in Abuja, where Tinubu reportedly expressed support for Alli’s emergence as the party’s preferred candidate in Oyo State. He stressed that such guidance from the party’s national leader carries significant weight and should be respected by members.
“Mr. President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be given due consideration,” Adeseun stated, adding that Senator Alli had already shown interest in the governorship race prior to the endorsement.
Another prominent party leader, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, echoed the consensus position, revealing that he also held consultations with President Tinubu, who, according to him, affirmed Alli as the preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Ibikunle urged other aspirants within the APC to align with the decision in the interest of unity and electoral success, emphasizing that internal cohesion would be crucial for the party’s performance at the polls.
The summit attracted a large turnout of party stakeholders, including representatives from all geopolitical zones of Oyo State and delegates from the state’s 33 local government areas, underscoring the significance of the endorsement exercise.
In his remarks, Senator Alli expressed gratitude to party leaders for their support and pledged to run an inclusive administration if elected. He also appreciated President Tinubu for his guidance and assured party members of his commitment to their trust.
With this development, the APC in Oyo State appears to be consolidating early around a single candidate, positioning Senator Alli as the central figure in its 2027 governorship strategy while seeking to avoid internal divisions that have impacted past elections.