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.
