Senator Alli described his emergence as a collective victory for the party and its members across Oyo State.

Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli. Photo: Facebook/Sharafadeen Abiodun ALLI

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has unveiled Senator Sarafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate even as it intensifies its reconciliation drive for party unity and grassroots mobilisation.

The party also unveiled Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s running mate, Adesoji Adedeji, for the 2027 governorship election. The unveiling ceremony, held in Ibadan, brought together party leaders, stakeholders, candidates, and supporters in a show of solidarity and renewed determination to reclaim power in Oyo State after eight years in opposition.

Speaking at the event, the Oyo APC Chairman, Moses Adeyemo, stressed that the party could no longer afford internal divisions, urging aggrieved members to embrace genuine reconciliation and work collectively toward victory in the 2027 general election.

He described unity, discipline and grassroots mobilisation as critical to the party’s success, calling on members to place the party’s overall interest above personal ambitions.

Adeyemo also appealed to residents of the state and APC faithful to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general election, saying the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to inspire confidence through economic reforms, national development initiatives and democratic stability.

The event also featured the formal presentation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination certificate to Senator Alli by the APC Deputy National Auditor, Hon. Gbenga Olayemi, symbolising the party’s readiness to begin its campaign for the 2027 election.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Alli described his emergence as a collective victory for the party and its members across Oyo State.

He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah, the APC leadership and members across the state’s 351 wards and 33 local government areas for their overwhelming support during the party’s governorship primary election.

The governorship candidate also commended the APC National Working Committee, security agencies, women, youths, media practitioners, and members of the National Assembly for ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent primary.

Alli appreciated President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to Nigeria’s economic transformation, political stability and democratic development.

Extending an olive branch to fellow aspirants and aggrieved members, he called for forgiveness, reconciliation and collective commitment to reposition the APC ahead of the 2027 election.

He pledged to provide purposeful and people-centred leadership with a focus on agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, economic prosperity, accountability, justice, and improved welfare for the people of Oyo State.

Among the dignitaries at the event were senators Ayoade Adeseun, Olufemi Lanlehin, Hosea Agboola, and Senator Yunus Akintunde; Hannah Ogunesan; Fatai Ibikunle; Yemi Aderibigbe; Wasiu Ajimobi; and Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, among others.

The ceremony also attracted the party’s three senatorial candidates—Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Aderemi Oseni (Oyo South) and Ogunesan (Oyo North)—as well as the APC’s 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates, underscoring the party’s resolve to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general election.