In a decisive move signaling early political consolidation, the apex leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was ratified at a high-level leadership summit held in Samonda, Ibadan, where key stakeholders from across the state convened to chart the party’s strategic direction ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking at the gathering, Senator (Chief) Hamzat Ayo Adeseun disclosed that the meeting was convened to harmonise positions and build unity around Senator Alli’s candidacy. He said the decision followed wide consultations among party leaders and was further reinforced by the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Adeseun revealed that during a prior engagement with the President in Abuja, Tinubu gave strong reasons for backing Alli as the APC’s standard-bearer in Oyo State, stressing that the President’s role as national leader of the party makes his position highly significant.
“As the leader of our great party, the President’s view carries weight, and it is important that we align with a direction that strengthens our collective chances,” Adeseun stated.
Corroborating this position, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Director at the South West Development Commission, said his own consultations with President Tinubu also confirmed support for Alli’s emergence as the party’s preferred candidate.
Ibikunle urged other aspirants within the APC to embrace the consensus in the spirit of unity and shared ambition, noting that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s success in the 2027 governorship contest.
The summit attracted a large turnout of party leaders, elders and stakeholders from all zones of the state, reflecting broad-based support for the decision and its implications for the party’s future.
In his response, Senator Alli expressed deep appreciation to the party leadership and members for the confidence reposed in him, assuring that he would justify the trust through inclusive and people-centred governance.
“I am grateful for this overwhelming support. I remain committed to building a government that reflects fairness, inclusiveness and development for all parts of Oyo State,” he said.
The endorsement marks a significant step in the APC’s early preparations for the 2027 elections, positioning Senator Alli as the focal point of its governorship ambition while seeking to avoid internal divisions and strengthen its chances at the polls.
