Politics
2027: Oyo APC adopts Alli consensus governorship candidate
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has adopted Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in a move aimed at strengthening unity ahead of the poll.
The decision was ratified at a high-level leadership summit held in Ibadan, where top party stakeholders from across the state gathered to deliberate on the party’s future and electoral strategy.
Speaking at the meeting, former Senator Ayo Adeseun said the summit was convened primarily to affirm Alli’s candidacy and secure broad support among leaders of the party.
He explained that the decision followed wide consultations and was further reinforced by the position of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Adeseun, he had earlier met with the President in Abuja, where Tinubu reportedly gave reasons for backing Alli as the APC flagbearer in Oyo State.
He said, “Mr President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be accorded due consideration.”
Adeseun added that Alli had already declared his intention to contest the governorship seat before the endorsement by party leaders.
Also speaking, a Director of the South West Development Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, reaffirmed the position of the party leadership, saying the endorsement reflected the collective interest of the APC in the state.
Ibikunle disclosed that he also held consultations with Tinubu, who, according to him, endorsed Alli as the preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
He urged other aspirants within the party to align with the consensus arrangement in the interest of unity, warning that internal divisions could weaken the APC’s chances at the poll.
According to him, party cohesion would be crucial to presenting a formidable challenge in the next governorship contest.
The summit attracted party leaders, stakeholders and representatives from the three senatorial districts of the state, underscoring the significance of the endorsement.
In his remarks, Alli thanked party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide inclusive and people-oriented leadership if elected.
The people of Ido-Osi Local Government Area and Isokan Local Council Development Area in Ekiti State have concluded arrangements to receive Governor Biodun Oyebanji during his campaign visit scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the Governor’s campaign visit, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre.
According to the statement, the visit is expected to be peaceful and colourful, while also serving as an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the governor and residents of the two councils.
Ojo-Lanre described Oyebanji as a leader whose administration had continued to demonstrate humility, sincerity and commitment to the development of the state.
He said the governor’s visit was beyond politics, noting that it represented continuity, trust and people-centred governance.
He said, “Ido-Osi and Isokan are ready. Our people are prepared to receive a governor who has governed with calmness, compassion, intelligence and visible results.
“This is a call to all sons and daughters of Ido-Osi and Isokan to come out in their numbers and appreciate a leader who has kept faith with the people of Ekiti.”
The committee urged party members, community leaders, youths, women groups, artisans, market leaders, transport unions and other residents to turn out in large numbers for the event.
It added that necessary arrangements had been made for community mobilisation and proper documentation of the visit.
The committee also appealed to residents and party supporters to maintain peace, orderliness and discipline before, during and after the event.
According to the statement, the visit would provide another opportunity for the people to reaffirm their support for continuity, stability and consolidation of good governance in the state.
The Okanlomo of Oodua and Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has described the member representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Aderemi Oseni, as a symbol of hope for the Oyo South Senatorial District, while declaring support for his 2027 Senate ambition.
Sanusi made his position known in a personally signed statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The Ibadan chief said Oseni had emerged as a leader with the vision, courage and capacity to deliver purposeful representation and sustainable development across the senatorial district.
According to him, the lawmaker’s growing popularity is rooted in his commitment to service, accessibility to the people and practical interventions in the lives of constituents.
He said, “Engr. Remi Oseni stands as a symbol of hope for the Oyo South Senatorial District, a man whose vision goes beyond promises and speaks directly to the heart of development.”
Sanusi added that Oyo State deserves leaders who understand the yearnings of the people and are prepared to provide solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges.
“His commitment to service, his understanding of our communities and his readiness to act set him apart as the right candidate for this moment,” he stated.
He noted that the 2027 election should be driven by competence, integrity and the desire to secure a better future for the people of the state.
Sanusi further said the backing of the JDS Group for Oseni was based on conviction, trust and confidence in his ability to provide quality representation at the Senate.
He urged residents of Oyo South to unite behind progressive leadership capable of attracting development, empowering youths and improving the welfare of the people.
“The time is now. Let us choose progress over stagnation and stand together for a future we can all be proud of,” he added.
Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, on Sunday formally declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Oseni made the declaration at the Ibadan Recreation Centre, Sabo, Ibadan, during a meeting attended by party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of his political structure, the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends.
The lawmaker said his decision followed wide consultations across the senatorial district, adding that he was convinced of securing the party’s ticket and winning the general election.
He said, “Having served diligently as your representative, I stand before you today ready to serve more. My ambition is not a departure from service, but a continuation of it.”
Oseni stated that his political journey had always been anchored on sacrifice, purpose and responsibility, stressing that leadership should be measured by service rather than position.
Highlighting his stewardship in the House of Representatives, Oseni said he had facilitated roads, schools, hospitals, bridges and streetlights across communities in his constituency.
He added that he had also supported education through sponsorship of students for WAEC and JAMB examinations, scholarships and payment of school fees for indigent students.
According to him, his empowerment programmes had benefited traders, artisans and market women, while over 30 youths had been transformed into millionaires through various intervention schemes.
Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency, said he had sponsored motions on improved road maintenance funding and advocated free treatment for cancer and kidney patients among others.
He also disclosed that he had pushed for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ido, describing healthcare access as a major priority of his public service agenda.
Speaking on his plans for Oyo South, Oseni said he would prioritise quality representation, education, healthcare, youth development, job creation and attraction of federal projects to the district.
He said, “My concept of empowerment goes beyond the distribution of tricycles, motorcycles and generators. True empowerment must build capacity, encourage innovation and create sustainable wealth.”
Reaffirming loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, Oseni declared that the President’s re-election in 2027 remained his ultimate political project, adding that his supporters were already mobilising across Oyo State for the APC.
He appealed for unity within the party, urging members to place collective interest above personal ambition in order to reclaim power in Oyo State and secure victory for all APC candidates in the next general elections.
Also present at the event was the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, who urged party members and stakeholders to support Oseni, describing him as a committed party man with strong grassroots appeal.
Alli said, “Oseni has shown capacity and dedication in his current role. I encourage party faithful and the people of Oyo South to support him as he seeks to serve at a higher level.”
